World Top 100 Players

Top seed WGM Nisha Mohota of LIC, Kolkata drew her final round game against Bhagyashree Thipsay to win the National Women A Chess 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.

Nisha Mohota became the eleventh player and first Bengali 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).

"Previously I had won only age group nationals - about five of them. This is my first national title," said the 24 year old small made Mohota. About preparations, she said she had worked a lot in the past one year with various others including Arghyadip Das. "My father is my coach and guide. As long as I learn, I do not mind learning even from beginners," said Mohota.

Asked if she was too cautious, that she remained undefeated, Mohota replied saying that many of the games were fighting draws and not really cautious games. May 6 was a day to remember in the long career of Nisha Mohota who made a draw with Bhagyashree Thipsay for the title.

Ironically, the previous AICF regime tried to cover their mistake of excluding her from the Asian Women Championship by issuing a show cause notice rather than issue an apology. Nisha Mohota has answered that very strongly by winning the national title in her first tournament since that issue.

About the organisation, she was all praise and repeated the same opinion of Anupama Gokhale. "It was the best organised." Chennai is a lucky venue for me. Either I achieve something there or achieve something the day before I go there, said Mohota. She said she will be in Chennai for the Wedding Reception of IM P.Konguvel on May 7.

Mary Ann Gomes

Mary Ann Gomes made it to the Indian team taking creditable second place and also completing a second IWM norm. "This year has just started very well for me," said Mary Ann. She was one of the four debutants in the competition and credited her success for the efforts of the Goodricke National Chess Academy. 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. Nimmy George deserves big praise for the strong finish. She is a player to watch for the future.

The results of round 13: 

The Final placings:

National Women's A Cross Table

C o n t a c t