Adopting 'catch-me-if-you-can' tactics, top seed Koneru Humpy of Andhra Pradesh continued her victory march to remain the sole leader with eight points in as many rounds in the 30th National women's `A' chess championship in Kozikhode on Thursday.
The reigning Asian women's champion continued her onslaught, beating IWM Y Prathiba (TN) and Eesha Karvade (MAH) in the seventh and eighth rounds to reaffirm her supremacy in the 17-round all-play-all tournament.
In a Queen-pawn opening, Humpy, showing irresistible form, easily had the measure of Karvade in only 26 moves.
The Vijayawada prodigy is further expected to carry on her excellent show as she is scheduled to take on less-fancied Sai Meera tomorrow, followed by the experienced but out-of-form Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) and Anupama Gokhale (BP) on Saturday.
Humpy will be playing Asia runner-up and state mate, third seed Dronavalli Harika on Sunday and then the defending champion, Aarthie Ramaswamy (TN).
Meanwhile, former champion and second seed S Vijayalakshmi (TN), who had a lethargic start, began closing up the gap with the leader to finish with seven points and take the second spot.
Aarthie and Nisha Mohota (LIC), the latest entrant to the WGM title, hold the third position with six points apiece.
The only other brighter side of today's games was the incredible performance of lowly-placed Krutika Nadig (MAH), who, after upstaging Anupama Gokhale, did well to split points with Harika.
