Odisha IM Padmini Rout and WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty finished third and fourth respectively with 8.5 points each from 11 rounds in the 50th National Women Chess Championship, which concluded at Chettinadu Public School in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu today.

WGM PV Nandhidhaa of Tamil Nadu captured her maiden National title and the top prize of Rs 7 lakh, scoring nine points. Priyanka Nutakki of Andhra Pradesh settled for the runner-up prize of Rs 5.5 lakh. She garnered 8.5 points. Padmini and Kiran received Rs 4.5 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh respectively.

The 10-day championship, featuring 152 players, carried a total prize fund of Rs 30 lakh. According to unconfirmed sources, the top four finishiers qualified to represent Indian in the FIDE Women World Cup, scheduled to be held in Batumi, Georgia from 5 to 29 July 2025.

Representing Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB), Padmini won seven games, drew three and lost one. She suffered the defeat against PV Nandhidhaa in the ninth round. Kiran also won seven games, drew three and lost one in the fourth round against Srija Seshadri. She represented her employers Life Insurance Corporation of India.
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PHOTO: Odisha chess stars Padmini Rout (Right) and Kiran Manisha Mohanty pose with trophies after finishing third and fourth respectively at the 50th National Women Chess Championship in Karaikudi on 13 October 2024.