Thaindian News

Chennai, Nov 9 (IANS) Woman Grandmaster Mary Ann Gomes of the Airports Authority of India, Kolkata, emerged champion in the Velammal 38th women’s National Premier chess championship here Wednesday as she drew her final round game against WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty of Orissa to take her tally to 8.0 points.

International Master Eesha Karavade of Maharashtra matched Mary Ann at 8.0 points, with a last gasp victory over WGM Padmini Rout of Orissa, but superior tie-break gave Mary Ann her maiden Premier title along with a winner’s purse of Rs.75,000.

Upon winning the title, Mary said: “Of course, I feel amazing winning my first championship. It is a completely different experience. I guess, when I think of it, I feel great joy. I dedicate this title to my mother Freda Gomes.”

Eesha scored a surprisingly quick final round victory against Padmini. The Grunfeld game saw white wresting the advantage early and a rook for minor piece sacrifice by Padmini did not improve her position.

Further intrusions into black’s kingside by Eesha’s queen and double rooks decided the issue in 32 moves. This third seed from Pune came up with a remarkable show in the second half to finish runner-up ahead of top seed Tania Sachdev.

With the fight for the top two spots decided, experienced Tania of Air India secured the third spot with an energetic victory over Woman International Master Sai Meera of Indian Bank.

The experienced quartet of Mary Ann Gomes, Eesha Karavade, Tania Sachdev and Nisha Mohota has been regulars in the Indian team for the past several years. Padmini Rout and Pratyusha Bodda give an element of youthfulness for the team.

The top six players are seeded for the next National Women Premier championship and earn the right to represent the country in International events for a year.

Pratyusha from Andhra Pradesh is the lone untitled player in the top six. Her performance here has been outstanding. Seeded 21st, Pratyusha scalped WGMs Sowmya Swaminathan, Swathi Ghate and WIM Bhakti Kulkarni on way to her sixth place finish.

Thanks to her hard work with N Rama Raju, the coach of Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika, this Vizag girl netted her second Woman International Norm and place in the Indian team.

Final Placings: 1-2 Mary Ann Gomes (AAI), Eesha Karavade (Mah) 8.0, 3 Tania Sachdev (AI) 7.5, 4-5 Nisha Mohota (PSPB), Padmini Rout (Ori) 7.0, 6-10 Pratyusha Bodda (AP), Meenakshi Subbaraman (IA), Sowmya Swaminathan (PSPB), Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Ori), P Michelle Catherina (TN) 6.5 pts

Results (Round 11): Mary Ann Gomes (AAI) 8 drew Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Ori) 6.5, Eesha Karavade (Mah) 8.0 bt Padmini Rout (Ori) 7.0, Tania Sachdev (AI) 7.5 bt Sai Meera (IB) 6.0, Nisha Mohota (PSPB) 7.0 bt Chandika Divyasree (AP) 6.0, Sowmya Swaminathan (PSPB) 6.5 bt A G Nimmy (Ker) 5.5, Meenakshi Subbaraman (AI) 6.5 bt R Bharathi (TN) 5.5, P Michelle Catherina (TN) 6.5 bt Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa) 5.5, Pratyusha Bodda (AP) 6.5 bt S Harini (TN) 5.0, Swathi Ghate (LIC) 6.0 bt Cholleti Sahajasri (AP) 4.5, Swati Mohota (WB) 5.0 drew Pon N Krithika (AICF) 5.5, A Akshaya (TN) 5.0 drew P Bala Kannamma (TN) 5.0, Aarthie Ramaswamy (AI) 5.0 drew P V Nandhidhaa (TN) 4.5, Madhurima Shekhar (Del) 2.5 lost to J Saranya (TN) 5.5, Shweta Gole (Mah) 5.0 bt Supriya Joshi (Mah) 2.0, M Mahalakshmi (TN) 4.0 - Bye.