Gopal jumps into sole lead in Asian junior chess

New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) G N Gopal is simply in irresistible form and the double IM norm holder outwitted M R lalith Babu to jump in to sole lead after four rounds in the Asian Junior Chess Championship here today.

With his fourth straight victory in as many rounds, Gopal maintained a clean slate in the event so far and is now followed by G Rohit and Nguyen Ngoc Truongson of Vietnam-- both having 3.5 points each.

Gopal, however, faces a challenging task in the fifth round where he meets Rohit.

Gopal displayed immense maturity in cruising past Babu who played white while Rohit did everything right against R Ashwath.

In the girls' championship, the draw between overnight joint leaders Women International master Kruttika Nadig and Kiran Manisha Mohanty helped Soumya Swaminathan and top seed Woman Grandmaster Hoang Thi Bao Tram (Vietnam) join the leading pack on 3.5 points.

With four players atop the tables and five rounds still to come, the race for the title is expected to heat up in the coming matches.

It turned out to be a good day for National Junior Girls' champion Soumya Swaminathan too as she defeated her Pune city-mate Amruta Mokal. For Bao Tram, P Priya did not prove to be a match.

UNI AY PDS PM1707