Odisha and Indian Oil Corporation International Master Padmini Rout won the silver medal in the Sydney International Open Chess Tournament, which was held at Macquarie University in Sydney (Australia) from 24 to 28 April, 2019.

Bhubaneswar lass Padmini and Taiwan Fide Master Raymond Song tied for the title, scoring seven points each out of a possible nine. However, Padmini settled as runner-up due to a less tie-break score. Indian Grand Master Abhijit Kunte finished third with 6.5  points.

Padmini won five games, drew two and lost one. She beat FM Manish Hamal (Nepal), FM Gene Nakauchi (Australia), IM Lane Gary W (Australia), FM Hu Jason (Austalia), Winkelman Albert (Australia) and Ikeda Junta (Australia). But the loss to Raymond Song in the fourth round cost her dear.

Padmini two games against Austalia Grand Master Johansen Darryl K and England Grand Master Daniel Howard Fernandez in the fifth and seventh rounds respectively. The Odisha IM gained 16 rating points from this tournament.
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PHOTO: Padmini Rout with title winner Raymond Song in Sydney on 28 April, 2019.