Odisha school boy Soundarya Pradhan bagged the title in the National `B’ Chess Championship for the Blind, which concluded at Manipal University in Karnataka today. He beat experienced campaigner Aswini Makwana in the ninth and last round to finish with eight points.

Kishan Gangoly of Karnataka settled as runner-up with 7.5 points. Soundarya’s elder brother Prachuyra occupied the eighth position with 6.5 points. Top 14 finishers qualified for the National `A’ Chess Championship for the Blind.

TOP 14 FINISHERS: 1. Soundarya Pradhan (Odisha, 8), 2. Kishan Gangolli (Karnataka, 7.5), 3. Ashvin K Makwana (Gujarat, 6.5), 4. Darpan Irani (Gujarat, 6.5), 5. Judhajeet Dey (WB, 6.5), 6. Aryan B Joshi (UP, 6.5), 7. Venkat S Reddy (AP, 6.5), 8. Prachurya Pradhan (Odisha 6.5), 9. Krishna Udupa (Karnataka, 6.5), 10. Sachin Lahu Waghmare (Maharashtra, 6.5), 11. Milind Samant (Maharashtra, 6.5), 12. K Marimuthu (TN, 6.5), 13. Shirish Patil (Maharashtra, 6), 14. Swapnil Saha (Maharashtra 6).
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PHOTO: National `B’ champion Soundarya Pradhan (Left) with elder brother Prachurya in Manipal on Dec 30, 2015.