Odisha and Indian Oil International Master Padmini Rout has qualified for the World Women’s Chess Championship, scheduled to be held in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia from November 1 to 25, 2018.

A former World U-14 girls’ champion, Padmini will be participating in the Senior World Championship for the second time. She made her debut in this championship last year at Teheran, Iran and lost in the pre-quarterfinals to eventual champion Tan Zhongyi (China).

The ensuing World Championship will feature a total of 64 players, including three from India. Other two Indians are Dronavalli Harika and Bhakti Kulkarni. Harika qualified as last year’s semifinalist, while Bhakti and Padmini qualified from Asia/Oceania Zone.

QUALIFIERS for WORLD WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP 2018:
a) From World Women’s Championship 2016: 01. Tan Zhongyi (CHN) - Winner 2016, 02. Muzychuk Anna (UKR) - Runner-up, 03. Harika Dronavalli (IND) - Semifinalist, 04. Kosteniuk Alexandra (RUS) - Semifinalist.
b) From average Rating List 2/2017 to 1/2018: 05. Hou Yifan (CHN) 2664.41, 06. Ju Wenjun (CHN) 2580.75, 07. Gunina Valentina (RUS) 2507.25, 08. Lei Tingjie (CHN) 2507.16, 09. Zhao Xue (CHN) 2490.25.
c) World Girl Junior Champions 2016-2017: 10. Saduakassova Dinara (KAZ) World Junior G20 Champion 2016, 11. Abdumalik Zhansaya (KAZ) World Junior G20 Champion 2017.
d) 28 players from European Women Championships 2016 & 2017: 12. Ushenina Anna (UKR) 2016, 13. Vega Gutierrez Sabrina (ESP) 2016, 14. Stefanova Antoaneta (FID) 2016, 15. Mkrtchian Lilit (ARM) 2016, 16. Paehtz Elisabeth (GER) 2016, 17. Atalik Ekaterina (TUR) 2016, 18. Bodnaruk Anastasia (RUS) 2016, 19. Zawadzka Jolanta (POL) 2016, 20. Javakhishvili Lela (GEO) 2016, 21. Matnadze Ana (ESP) 2016, 22. Shvayger Yuliya (ISR) 2016, 23. Goryachkina Aleksandra (RUS) 2016, 24. Arakhamia-Grant Ketevan (SCO) 2016, 25. Khukhashvili Sopiko (GEO) 2016, 26. Dzagnidze Nana (GEO) 2017, 27. Galliamova Alisa (RUS) 2017, 28. Lagno Kateryna (RUS) 2017, 29. Muzychuk Mariya (UKR) 2017, 30. Socko Monika (POL) 2017, 31. Danielian Elina (ARM) 2017, 32. Nechaeva Marina (RUS) 2017, 33. Khotenashvili Bela (GEO) 2017, 34. Zhukova Natalia (UKR) 2017, 35. Pogonina Natalija (RUS) 2017, 36. Hoang Thanh Trang (HUN) 2017, 37. Gara Anita (HUN) 2017, 38. Gaponenko Inna (UKR) 2017, 39. Kashlinskaya Alina (RUS) 2017.
e) 8 players from Americas: 40. Cori T., Deysi (PER) (Continental 2016), 41. Miranda Llanes, Yerisbel (CUB) (Continental 2017), 42. Aliaga Fernandez, Ingrid Y (PER) (Continental 2017), 43. Foisor Sabina-Francesca (USA) (Zone 2.1), 44. Paikidze Nazi (USA) (Zone 2.1), 45. Ouellet, Maili-Jade (CAN) (Zone 2.2), 46. Vazquez Maccarini, Danitza (PUR) (Zone 2.3), 47. Lujan, Carolina (ARG) (Zone 2.5).
f) 12 players from Asia/Oceania: 48. Kulkarni Bhakti (IND) (Continental 2016), 49. Nakhbayeva Guliskhan (KAZ) (Continental 2017), 50. Alinasab Mobina (IRI) (Zone 3.1), 51. Hamid Rani (BAN) (Zone 3.2), 52. Vo Thi Kim Phung (VIE) (Zone 3.3), 53. Tokhirjonova Gulrukhbegim (UZB) (Zone 3.4), 54. Zhai Mo (CHN) (Zone 3.5), 55. Ni Shiqun (CHN) (Zone 3.5), 56. Zhu Jineer (CHN) (Zone 3.5), 57. Sun Fanghui (CHN) (Zone 3.5), 58. Timergazi, Layla (NZL) (Zone 3.6), 59. Padmini Rout (IND) (Zone 3.7).
g) 3 players from Africa: 60. Wafa Shahenda (EGY) (Continental 2017), 61. Toubal Hayat (ALG) (Continental 2017), 62. February Jesse Nikki (RSA) (Continental 2017).
h) 2 nominees by FIDE: 63. To be announced, 64. To be announced.
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PHOTO: Padmini Rout at the Women World Chess Championship-2017 in Tehran, Iran. (Photo courtesy: thechessdrum.net)