Aarti, Bhakti, Mary, Nisha, Eesha leading with 7 points

Kozhikode, Jun 12 (UNI) Aarti Ramaswami of Indian Airlines and Bhakti Kulkarni of Goa caught up with overnight joint leaders Mary Ann Gomes, Nisha Mohota, both from West Bengal and Eesha Karvade of Maharashtra with seven points each after ninth round of the 35th National Women 'B' Chess Championship here today.

Half point behind them in joint second spot were Kruttika Nadig (Mah), Mohanapriya of (TN), Swati Ghate (LIC), Padmini Rout (Ori), Pon N Krithika (TN) and Niji A (Ker).

Results: Mary Ann Gomes 7 (WB) drew with Nisha Mohota 7 (WB), Kruttika Nadig 6.5 (Mah) drew with Eesha Karvade 7 (Mah), Mohanapriya 6.5 (TN) drew with Swati Ghate 6.5, Bhakti Kulkarni 7 (Goa) bt Preeti R 6 (TN), Gagare Shalmali 5.5 (Mah) lost to Padmini Rout 6.5 (Ori), Nimmi George 6 (Ker) drew with N Raghavi 6 (TN), Baisakhi Das 5.5 (Jhar) lost to Pon N Krithika 6.5, Swati Mohota 5.5 (WB) lost to Niji A 6.5 (Ker), Roy Pallavai 6 (WB) bt Sai Meera 5 (TN).

UNI PCH AB AS1856