Six-time champion S. Vijayalakshmi punished Nimmy George for overlooking a tactical stroke and began her campaign on a winning note in the 41st National women chess championship here on Saturday.
Looking to regain the title she last won in 2002, Vijayalakshmi had it easy after Nimmy gave away a bishop and resigned a move later after realising that going ahead with her original plan would end in the loss of her queen.
Lakshmi Preetha and Bhakti Kulkarni were the other two victorious players.
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The former capitalised on a miscalculated exchange of rook for bishop by V. Varshini and soon emerged with an extra rook in the 37-move battle.
Bhakti benefited from the space allowed by Hinduja Reddy, the lowest-rated player in the field.
She registered a comfortable win in 29 moves after gaining a rook for a bishop.
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Defending champion Mary Ann Gomes and the recently-crowned National challenger winner Nisha Mohota, also a former champion, drew in 35 moves after a series of exchanges. Another former champion, Swati Ghate, was held by the young Pratyusha Bodda in the day’s shortest game, lasting 26 moves.
Second seed Padmini Rout could not get much advantage from the white pieces as Ivana Furtado succeeded in locking the position where the players had seven pawns each on the board. Eventually, peace was signed in 49 moves.
The results (first round): V. Varshini lost to K. Lakshmi Praneetha; Mary Ann Gomes drew with Nisha Mohota; Swati Ghate drew with Pratyusha Bodda; Padmini Rout drew with Ivana Furtado; S. Vijayalakshmi bt Nimmy George; Bhakti Kulkarni bt Hinduja Reddy.