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Mohota holds leader Kouvatsou

Playing on table one, India's Nisha Mohota (7) held Maria Kouvatsou (8.5) of Greece to a draw in the 11th round of the girls' group in the Junior World Chess championship in Yerevam, Armenia, yesterday.

Maria is the sole leader in the girls' Group IV and is still unbeaten after 11 rounds. She has already overfilled her maiden Grandmaster norm after scoring 6.5 points in eight rounds. This is a very special success as she managed the GM norm with five rounds to spare.

Against Nisha, in the 11th round, she chose exchange variation in Alekhine defence and outplayed the Indian in the opening. Nisha was unable to castle her king and could not develop her pieces. Playing tactically, Nisha sacrificed a piece for three pawns and got equality. Thereafter, it was an easy draw.

T Sapeo of Georgia is in second place with 7.5 points, while Mohota is in third, with 7.

Sundararajan Kidambi (5) of India was forced to agree to a draw with Abakisi Jukub (4.5) of Turkey in the 11th round. Kidambi was two pawns up and could have got an easy win, but he allowed his opponent to sacrifice his knight for two pawns. Then Kidambi had a rook and knight against a rook, which ended in a book draw.

Playing a third quick draw in row on the top table, Grandmaster Alexender Gallun (8.5) emerged the sole leader in the boys' group. In the 11th round, he drew with Blehm Pawel (7.5) of Poland.

Kasimdzanov Rustom, Asrian Karm and Aronian Laven share the second place with eight points each.

UNI