Meenakshi finishes second to Nisha

Sasinas Haritha misplayed a promising position in Sicilian Defence against Baisakhi Das and missed a good chance to better her third place finish in the National Junior at Calicut University two years ago. She lost a piece after making a wrong pawn push on move 19 and was pushed to the third place. Haritha will play in the Asian Juniors as India will be hosting the event this year.

Top 10 placings: 1 Nisha Mohota 7, 2 Meenakshi 5.5, 3 Sasinas Haritha 5.5, 4 Pazha Sivakami 5.5, 5 Swati Ghate 5.5, 6 Baisakhi Das 5.5, 7 MR Sangeetha 5, 8 JE Kavitha 5, 9 Nilavoli 5, 10 Monalisa Malakar 5.

Topboard results 8th round: Nisha Mohota WB 7 drew Swati Ghate LIC 5.5, Sasinas Haritha Ker 5.5 lost to Baisakhi Das WB 5.5, Monalisa Malakar WB 5 drew Meenakshi Capa 5.5, Anuradha Beniwal Har 4.5 lost to Pazha Sivakami TN 5.5, Nilavoli Capa 5 drew C V Rajalakshmi Chromepet 4.5, M R Sangeetha TN 5 bt Eesha Karvade Mah 4, J E Kavitha AICF 5 bt Isai Amudhu Chennai 4, Nazia Nona Kerala 4 drew Niranjini T Nagar 4.