Woman Grandmaster Mary Ann Gomes of Airport Authority of India, Kolkata emerged the champion in the Velammal 38th National Women Premier Chess Championship 2011 being held at Media Centre, Nehru Stadium, Periamet, Chennai here today. Mary Ann Gomes drew her final round game against Woman Grandmaster Kiran Manisha Mohanty of Orissa, taking her tally to 8.0 points.
International Master Eesha Karavade of Maharashtra matched Mary Ann Gomes at 8.0 points, with a last gasp victory over Woman Grandmaster Padmini Rout of Orissa. But superior tie-break gave Mary Ann Gomes her maiden National Women Premier title, along with a winner’s purse of Rs.75000.
Upon winning the National Women Premier chess title Mary said, “Of course, I feel amazing winning my first National Women Premier Championship. Its a completely different experience. I guess, when I think of it, I feel great joy. I dedicate this title to my mother Freda Gomes.”
Mary Ann Gomes receiving winner's trophy from Chief Guest Shri D V Sundar, Vice President, FIDE
Mary Ann Gomes with the winner's trophy
International Master Eesha Karavade scoring a surprisingly quick final round victory over Woman Grandmaster Padmini Rout. 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. The win takes Eesha on top of the table with 8.0 points. This third seed from Pune, came up with a remarkable show in the second half, taking the Runner-Up spot ahead of top seed Tania Sachdev.
With the fight for the top two spots decided, experienced Tania Sachdev of Air India secured the third spot with an energetic victory over Woman International Master Sai Meera of Indian Bank. A miracle draw yesterday against Divyasree and a facile win today, takes Tania to the third place finish in the final standings. Tania led the tournament for most part, before a defeat in the hands of second placed Eesha, derailed her. Nevertheless, Tania showed resilience, winning when it was required.
The experienced quartet of top four viz., 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 an year.
Indian top six women players viz., Pratyusha Bodda, Tania Sachdev, Mary Ann Gomes, Eesha Karavade, Nisha Mohota, Padmini Rout
The newcomer in this group would be Pratyusha Bodda of Andhra Pradesh. As 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, and the country can expect more of her.
The cash prizes amounting to Rs.2,50,000 were awarded to the prize winners by Shri D V Sundar, Vice President, World Chess Federation (FIDE) in a function presided over by Shri MVM Vel Mohan, Correspondent, Velammal Educational Trust.
WGM Mary Ann Gomes receiving the IM Norm certificate
(L to R) Chief Guest D V Sundar, Vice President, FIDE, R C Chatterjee, Chief Arbiter, Tania Sachdev (2nd Runner-Up), K Muralimohan, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, Champion Mary Ann Gomes, R K Balagunasekaran, Deputy Chief Arbiter, Eesha Karavade (Runner-Up)
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 with 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 with Pon N Krithika (AICF) 5.5, A Akshaya (TN) 5.0 drew with P Bala Kannamma (TN) 5.0, Aarthie Ramaswamy (AI) 5.0 drew with 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.
R R Vasudevan
Press Officer
Velammal 38th National Women Premier Chess Championship 2011
