PANJIM: WIM Ivana Maria Furtado (2080) has taken the sole lead with seven points at the end of the eighth round after she defeated M Mahalaksmi in 76 moves in a tactical ending in the Junior National Championship being played in Lucknow.
WFM Saranya J (2147) of Tamil Nadu is on second position with 6.5 points. WIM Ivana will be playing on the top board with Varshini V (1916) of Tamil Nadu in the ninth round. Varshini is on six points.
Meanwhile, Niraj Saripalli is on 4.5 points while Nadhini Saripalli has four points at the end of the eighth round.
