50th National Women R1-6: Padmini and Sarayu emerge coleaders

by V Vijayaraghavan - 08/10/2024

The reigning and defending champion, IM Padmini Rout and Sarayu Velpula are the coleaders 5.5/6 at the end of Round 6 of 50th National Women Championship 2024. Padmini's sole draw was against WIM Priyanka K in the fifth round. Top seed Sarayu conceded only one draw against WIM Mrudul Dehankar. She defeated the previous edition's runner-up and reigning Commonwealth Women's Gold medalist, WGM Mary Ann Gomes. Eight players are in pursuit at 5/6 each. The tournament is taking place at Chettinadu Public School, Managiri, Karaikudi from 3rd to 13th October. Round 7 starts at 10 a.m. IST. Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Eight in pursuit

Chettinadu Public School is the proud host of the prestigious 50th National Championship for Women, in collaboration with the Sivagangai District Chess Association, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association, and All India Chess Federation. Chettinadu Public School had organized National Women, National Under-11, 17th TN IM-norm Closed Circuit Chess Event. This milestone event, scheduled from 3rd to 13th October 2024 at the school's campus, marks a defining chapter in Indian women's chess.

AICF Secretary - Dev Patel made the inaugural first move | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

With a prize fund of ₹30 lacs, the championship is a crucial platform for India's top women chess players. This championship is a selection event for the 2025 Women's World Cup, which in turn a key step on the path to the Women's World Chess Championship. 3 IMs, 8 WGMs and 7 WIMs are participating in this event.

The tournament was inaugurated by Dev Patel, the youngest Secretary of All India Chess Federation in presence of S P Kumaresan, Chairman, Chettinadu Public School, Stephen Balasamy, General Secretary, TNSCA.

Half way down, the games witnessed few upsets in the early stages. Velpula was held to draw by 22nd seed WIM Mrudul Dehankar in the third round. Second seeded IM Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa) lost to S Jeevika (PUD) in the second round. Fourth seeded WGM Nandhidhaa (TN) was held to draw by the newly crowned National Junior Girls champion - Mrittika Mallick (WB) in the third round. Fifth seeded WGM Rakshitta Ravi (TN) lost to Ananya Raman (TN) in the second round. Notable players like WGM Priyanka Nutakki (AP), WGM Srija Seshadri (TN). IM Nisha Mohota (PSPB), WGM Swati Ghate (LIC), WGM Varshini V (TN) and WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (LIC) are following the leaders.

Round 5: IM Padmini Rout (PSPB) - WIM Priyanka K (TN): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Round 2: Jeevika S (PUD) - IM Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa): 1-0 | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

India's recent double gold medal triumph at the Olympiad in Hungary, has created a lot of interest. A total of 153 players from 25 states are participating in this intense 11-day, 11-rouind tournament, including almost all of India’s leading players, barring the recent Olympiad medalists. A total of ten prizes are up for grabs, with the first prize of ₹7 lacs and gleaming trophies awaiting the champions.

Dev A Patel, honored by S P Kumaresan, Chairman, Chettinadu Public School. Stephen Balasamy (Lefthand of Dev), General Secretary, TNSCA, and K, Arunkumar Vice Chairman | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Hall 1: First 20 boards are broadcasted live | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Tournament hall 2 | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

S P Kumaresan | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan

Chettinadu Public School is a CBSE school with a vision to impart knowledge that encompasses the world beyond the classroom. To build courage and confidence in children to face the challenges of tomorrow. The Chairman Mr. S P Kumaresan says Education is not a mere accumulation of facts; it is the preparation of life itself. He is a philanthropist by nature and supports chess very much which is vivid when he procured 5 DGT boards for the school chess club immediately in view of National Women Chess Championship.

Replay Round 1-6 games

Round 6 results

Bo.		White	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Black	Rtg	Club/City	PGN
1		Velpula, Sarayu	2370	TEL	4½	1 - 0	4½	WGM	Gomes, Mary Ann	2298	PSPB	PGN
2	WIM	Sharma, Isha	2228	KAR	4½	0 - 1	4½	IM	Padmini, Rout	2328	PSPB	PGN
3	WIM	Priyanka, K	2075	TN	4½	½ - ½	4½	WGM	Nandhidhaa, P V	2322	TN	PGN
4	WGM	Rakshitta, Ravi	2322	TN	4	1 - 0	4	WIM	Mrudul, Dehankar	2036	MAH	PGN
5	WGM	Priyanka, Nutakki	2289	AP	4	1 - 0	4	WCM	Arshiya, Das	2035	TRI	PGN
6	WIM	Chitlange, Sakshi	2188	MAH	4	1 - 0	4	WCM	Swara, Lakshmi S Nair	2018	KAR	PGN
7	WFM	Lasya, G	2010	AP	4	0 - 1	4	WGM	Varshini, V	2142	TN	PGN
8	WFM	Kheerthi, Ganta	1986	TEL	4	0 - 1	4	IM	Mohota, Nisha	2140	PSPB	PGN
9		Nivedita, V C	1980	TN	4	0 - 1	4	WFM	Saranya, J	2048	TN	PGN
10		Jeevika, S	1881	PUD	4	½ - ½	3½	WFM	Kalyani, Sirin	2132	KER	PGN

Details

Standings after Round 6

Rk.	SNo		Name	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB5	Rp
1	3	IM	Padmini, Rout	2328	PSPB	5,5	21,5	24,5	22,00	5	2415
2	1		Velpula, Sarayu	2370	TEL	5,5	18,5	21,5	19,50	5	2347
3	19	WIM	Priyanka, K	2075	TN	5	22,5	25,5	20,25	4	2356
4	4	WGM	Nandhidhaa, P V	2322	TN	5	22	25,5	20,75	4	2236
5	14	WGM	Varshini, V	2142	TN	5	21,5	24	18,50	5	2233
6	20	WFM	Saranya, J	2048	TN	5	19,5	22,5	18,25	4	2106
7	7	WGM	Priyanka, Nutakki	2289	AP	5	19,5	22,5	18,00	5	2183
8	11	WIM	Chitlange, Sakshi	2188	MAH	5	19	22	18,00	4	2169
9	15	IM	Mohota, Nisha	2140	PSPB	5	16	18,5	15,50	5	2125
10	5	WGM	Rakshitta, Ravi	2322	TN	5	15,5	17,5	14,50	5	2106

Details

Round 7 pairings

Bo.		White	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	Result	Pts.		Black	Rtg	Club/City
1	IM	Padmini, Rout	2328	PSPB	5½		5½		Velpula, Sarayu	2370	TEL
2	WGM	Nandhidhaa, P V	2322	TN	5		5	WIM	Chitlange, Sakshi	2188	MAH
3	IM	Mohota, Nisha	2140	PSPB	5		5	WGM	Rakshitta, Ravi	2322	TN
4	WFM	Saranya, J	2048	TN	5		5	WGM	Priyanka, Nutakki	2289	AP
5	WGM	Varshini, V	2142	TN	5		5	WIM	Priyanka, K	2075	TN
6	WGM	Gomes, Mary Ann	2298	PSPB	4½		4½		Patil, Divya	1923	MAH
7		Jeevika, S	1881	PUD	4½		4½	WIM	Sharma, Isha	2228	KAR
8		Mrittika, Mallick	2042	WB	4½		4½	WGM	Swati, Ghate	2023	LIC
9	IM	Kulkarni, Bhakti	2363	Goa	4		4		Harini, S.	1903	TN
10		Kanishka, S	1862	TN	4		4	WGM	Srija, Seshadri	2258	TN

Details

About the Author

V Vijayaraghavan is an International Arbiter and Vice President of Tamil Nadu State Chess Association. He was also the Tournament Coordinator for 24th, 26th and 27th Tamil Nadu IM-norm Closed Circuit Tournament.

The report was edited by Shahid Ahmed

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