2nd Day: Ram Ratna Women's Premier Chess Championship

The tournament is being organised by Diaspora Times under the aegis of BCA.

Playing white, against former National champion IM Tania Sachdev of Air India , Swati was in control of the position throughout the game in an Italian defence. Tania overlooked a manuevre on move 25, which resulted in a loss of pawn for her, a few moves later. In a technically winning  queen endgame, Swati made no mistake and wrapped up the game with ease.

Three times National champion, city based Mart Ann Gomes, who was watching the games from the sidelines was impressed by Swati's play here. " Swati is a dark horse , who is difficult to stop once she starts galloping" she said.  When asked whom she considers the favorite, "On current form, Padmini is way head of the rest and is clearly the favorite as she is consistently playing well .But Soumya is also a strong contender  and don't forget Vaishali , who is upcoming and strong " she added.

WGM Soumya Swaminthan of PSPB too was impressive on the day as she outwitted K. Priyanka of Tamil Nadu by sacrificing her knight for 3 pawns in a Sicilian Najdorf. With her opponent's king in the centre, Soumya had a strong attack and kept up the pressure despite being exchange down .She ended up in a bishop versus knight ending 3 pawns up and eventually won on the 38th move.

Defending champion IM Padmini Rout of Odisha got the better of WGM Bhakti Kulkarni in a sharp tactical battle where Padmini scarified her knight on the 9th move for two pawns and an attack. She later got a rook for two minor pieces and 3 extra pawns and went on to win the game with clinical precision.

Priyanka Nutakki had little difficulty in getting the full point in her game against Neha Singh of Bihar. In a 4 pawns attack variation of the King's Indian defence , Neha made a dubious  knight sacrifice  on the 19th move, but Priyanka defended well and thwarted off the attack after which it was all over my move 39.

R. Vaishali of Tamil Nadu was paired against her teammate V. Varshini , but did not play as she was in Delhi to receive the award for excellence in chess from the President of India. She will play her 2nd round game on rest day November 19.

Michelle Catherina P of Tamil Nadu too will play her game against B. Pratyusha on the rest day as she had an allergic reaction in her right eye. The 3rd round come off at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Results:Round 2
Priyanka Nutakki (TN)(1) bt Neha Singh (BIH)(0),

Padmini Rout (ODI) (1.5) bt Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa)(0.5),

Soumya Swaminathan (PSPB) (1.5) bt K. Priyanka (TN)(0),

Swate Ghate (LIC)(2) bt Tania Sachdev(0.5)