Odisha chess queen, IM Padmini Rout won the title in the 49th National Women Chess Championship, scoring nine points out of a possible 11 at Rajpath Club in Ahmedabad, Gujarat today. This was the fifth National Women title for Padmini, who had bagged her previous title in Surat, Gujarat six years ago.

Employee of Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Padmini, in fact, was the National women champions for four years in a row from 2014 to 2017. After losing the fourth round in the current edition, Padmini came back strongly to clinch the title. Overall, Padmini won eight games, drew two and lost one.

WGM Mary Ann Gome (PSPB) secured the silver medal, while WIM Arpita Mukherjee (West Bengal) bagged the bronze medal. Both Mary and Arpita scored 8.5 points each.

Odisha WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (LIC) secured 19th position with 7.5 points. Among other Odisha players, Yashita Rout (7 points) ended 26th, WIM Saina Salonika (4.5) 104th, CM Aparajita Gochhikar (4.5) 116th.
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PHOTO: Odisha IM Padmini Rout poses with her champion trophy at the 49th Women Chess Championship in Ahmedabad on 10 July 2023.