Tania

Tania Makes It Two In A Row

By Arvind Aaron
 

The Bank of Maharashtra sponsored National Women's A Chess Championship was one of the best organised in the history of this event. Record prize fund, excellent conditions were offered in this Symbiosis Spa organised event at Pune from Nov 5-15. Woman Grand Master Tania Sachdev of Delhi retained her title in a photo finish contest. Her tie-break was higher than Kiran Manisha Mohanty of Orissa and Soumya Swaminathan of Maharashtra. They all tied for the first place on 8/11.

The event is going to be remembered for other things as well. Two WGM norms, one each for Kiran Mohanty and Soumya Swaminathan. Tamil Nadu players did not have it good but P.Priya of Chennai made her final WIM Norm and title. In terms of strength it was weaker than the previous edition held at Chennai largely because of the pulling out of S.Vijayalakshmi and S.Meenakshi.

 

Tania, Kiran Manisha mohanty and Soumya Swaminathan

Tania remained undefeated and played well and solidly. Kiran was the find of the tournament with the highest rating performance. Soumya who was considered more a junior player has made her presence in the big league. These three players replace Harika, Swati Ghate and Mary Ann Gomes from the Olympiad team. Koneru Humpy is seeded. India might have youth in the team but could lack experience.

Top seed Dronavalli Harika had a lucky round one win against Priya but was defeated in the final round and went out of the team after playing two Olympiads at Calvia 2004 and Turin 2006. Swati Ghate has been playing Olympiads once every four years. She made her debut at Elista in 1998, then missed Istanbul 2000 and played at Bled 2002 and missed Calvia  2004 and played Turin 2006. So Dresden 2008 is the turn to miss! The event received technical support from Buddhibal Kreeda Trust of Pune. All the games were also presented live  on the Internet.

Kiran Mohanty and Soumya Swaminathan are the two major rating gainers from this contest and the two major losers are Harika and Nisha Mohota.

Final placings (tie-break order): 1 Tania Sachdev 8, 2 Kiran Manisha Mohanty 8, 3 Soumya Swaminathan 8, 4 Swati Ghate 7.5, 5 Dronavalli Harika 7, 6 Nisha Mohota 6.5, 7 Eesha

Karavade 6, 8 Sai Meera 6, 9 R Aarthie 6, 10 P Priya 6, 11 Nimmy George 6, 12 Pon. N. Krithikha 6, 13 Padmini Rout 6, 14 Mary Ann Gomes 5.5, 15 Divyasri Ch. 5.5...28 players. 

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