Nisha emerges champ with round to spare

KOZHIKODE, FEBRUARY 17: Defending champion Nisha Mohota of West Bengal crossed the first hurdle towards her cherished dream by retaining t...

KOZHIKODE, FEBRUARY 17: Defending champion Nisha Mohota of West Bengal crossed the first hurdle towards her cherished dream by retaining the National Junior girls chess title at the indoor stadium here on Thursday.

Eager to play in the World junior for a last time this year, Nisha had come here with the hope that she would be able to repeat her last year’s title winning performance at Thalassery. Nisha totalled 6.5 points from seven rounds and kept a one point lead over her nearest rival Sasinas Haritha of Kerala, who defeated Pazha Sivakami of TN in a game of fluctuating fortunes.

“This title was very important to me as I had failed to qualify for the National A narrowly,” she said. “Also, I hope to do well in the World junior now that I know what the competition is like,” she said of her promising performance last year in the World junior in Armenia.

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Adopting the Dutch Defence, Nisha chose a rare 6…Nh6 variation against leader Meenakshi Subbaraman of Capa Academy. The line had netted useful points for her in the past and she banked on it for getting the crucial break in the 14th National junior.

Topboard results (7th round): Meenakshi (Capa) 5 lost to Nisha Mohota (WB) 6.5; Pahza Sivakami (TN) 4.5 lost to Sasinas Haritha (Kerala) 5.5; Swati Ghate (LIC) 5 bt MR Sangeetha (TN) 4; CV Rajalakshmi (Chennai) 4 drew with Anuradha Beniwal (Haryana) 4.5; Manjula James (Kerala) 3.5 lost to Baisakhi Das (WB) 4.5; Eesha Karvade (Mah) 4 drew with JE Kavitha (AICF) 4; J Megha (Kar) 3.5 lost to Monalisa Malakar (WB) 4.5; M Kasturi (TN) 3 lost to Nilavoli (Capa) 4.5

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