Nisha Mohota Crowned Eleventh Champion
WGM Nisha Mohota of LIC, Kolkata drew her final round game against Bhagyashree Thipsay to win the National Women's Championship for the first time. She remained undefeated with 9/13, in a 14-player round robin tournament. She picked up a cash prize of Rs.37,000.
"I like to play better chess today than yesterday," said Nisha Mohota. Delighted at having won her first title, Nisha said the previous best achievement was becoming a WGM. Asked if the event could have been stronger, she said it was as it is strong.
She became the eleventh player to win the Indian women's champion. New champions: 1974 Vasanti Unni (Mah), 1975 Jayshree Khadilkar (Mah), 1976 Rohini Khadilkar (Mah), 1985 Bhagyashree Thipsay (Mah), 1987 Saritha M.Reddy (TN), 1989 Anupama Gokhale (Mah), 1995 S.Vijayalakshmi (TN), 1996 Mrunalini Kunte (Mah), 2003 Aarthie Ramaswamy (TN), 2003 Koneru Humpy (AP), 2005 Nisha Mohota (Ben).
Mary Ann Gomes made it to the Indian team taking second place and also picked up her IWM norm. She was one of the four debutants in the competition. She picked up Rs.29,000. Swati Ghate beat Anupama Gokhale in the final round for third place. Aarthie was held to a draw by Priya and finished fourth. Five time champions, Anupama and Bhagyashree made it to the Indian top six. The player of the meet was Mary Ann and Nimmy George deserves big praise for the strong finish.
The results of round 13: Nisha Mohota (Ben) 9 drew Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) 7, Swati Mohota (Ben) 6.5 drew Mary Ann Gomes (Ben) 8.5, Nimmy George (Ker) 7 bt
M.R. Sangeetha (TN) 5.5, N.Raghavi (TN) 4 drew P.Sivasankari (TN) 3, Kruttika Nadig (Kar) 5 lost to Anuprita Patil (Mah) 6, Swati Ghate (LIC) 8 bt Anupama Gokhale (PSPB) 7.5, Aarthie Ramesh (IA) 8 drew P.Priya (TN) 6.
The final placings: 1 Nisha Mohota (LIC) 9/13, 2 Mary Ann Gomes (Ben) 8.5, 3 Swati Ghate (LIC) 8, 4 Aarthie Ramesh (IA) 8, 5 Anupama Gokhale (PSPB) 7.5, 6 Bhagyashree Thipsay (IDBI) 7, 7 Nimmy George (Ker) 7, 8 Swati Mohota (Ben) 6.5, 9 Anuprita Patil (Mah) 6, 10 P.Priya (TN) 6, 11 M.R.Sangeetha (TN) 5.5, 12 Kruttika Nadig (Kar) 5, 13 N.Raghavi (TN) 4, 14 P.Sivasankari (TN) 4.