The Hindu : Nisha and Sangli, the chemistry works again

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 28, 2002

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Sport - Chess

Nisha and Sangli, the chemistry works again

By Raghunandan Gokhale

Nisha Mohota, winner of the International Rating chess tournament at Sangli on Monday.

SANGLI MAY 27. International Woman Master Nisha Mohota (8.5) of LIC, Kolkata, won the first-ever International Rating chess tournament for women here today. Nisha, who was awarded the Late Meenatai Shirgaonkar Rolling Trophy, was richer by Rs. 21,000.

In an absorbing battle, Nisha was held to a draw in the ninth and final round by Y. Pratibha (TN). Second-seeded IWM Anupama Gokhale(7) of Bharat Petroleum, Mumbai, and the third seed IWM Swati Ghate (6.5) of LIC, Pune, justified their seedings by claiming the second and third prizes respectively.

Seven-year-old wonderkid Rucha Pujari of Kolhapur scored a shocking win over International R. Mahima in the last round to finish in the top-10.

It was Nisha's tournament all the way as she went from strength to strength, winning all her games. Today, she ran into Asian under-18 runner-up Pratibha (6) in the last round. As Nisha had outdistanced the field by a clear one and half points, a loss in the last round would not have mattered.

Nisha, playing Scandinavian Defence, built up a commanding position and looked set for her ninth win. However, Pratibha did not lose heart and went on defending her position grimly. Nisha landed in time trouble and committed some grave positional errors.

"Pratibha's bishop had no place to move, but I allowed her to free it,'' said Nisha after offering a draw which Pratibha accepted at once. ``Sangli is my happy hunting ground,'' remarked the champion who won the Commonwealth women's championship here three years back.

Nisha stands to gain around 15 rating points from this event. "I shall be going for my Woman Grandmaster title this year and I need each and every rating point,'' said Nisha, who secured her first WGM norm in Bangladesh.

Five-time National women's champion Anupama Gokhale (7) finished second after agreeing to an early draw with local star Ashwini Pacchhapurkar (6.5) in the final round. "I needed this break after playing badly in the Nationals,'' quipped the veteran IWM from Mumbai. Anupama's second place fetched her Rs. 15,000. Ashwini, a Chartered Accountant in the making, was fourth.

Swati downed Nisha's elder sister Swati Mohota in a tough battle arising out of a Queen pawn game. Swati won a couple of pawns in the middle game to grab the third place. "I did not play well in this tournament,'' admitted the Pune player who has the distinction of being the first-ever woman to qualify for the National `A' championship.

Mr. Bhau Padsalgikar, the 84-year-old organiser of this tournament, announced that this will be an annual event in future.

Important results (final round): Y. Pratibha (6) drew with Nisha Mohota (8.5); Anupama Gokhale (7) drew with Ashwini Pacchhapurkar (6.5); Swati Mohota (5.5) lost to Swati Ghate(6.5); P. Mangal (5.5) lost to R. Sai Meera (6.5); Rucha Pujari (6) bt R. Mahima (5.5); Anuprita Patil (6) bt Amruta Mokal (5); J. Sankpal (5) lost to Madhuri Patil (6); Mrudal Patil (5) lost to C.V. Rajlaxmi (6); Namita Mehetar (5.5) bt Radhika Khariwala (4).

Eighth round: Nisha bt Pushpalatha; Sai Meera drew with Anupama; Swati drew with Pratibha; Ashwini bt Sankpal; Anuprita bt Ketaki Kulkarni.

Final placings: 1. Nisha Mohota (LIC) 8.5 points; 2. Anupama Gokhale (BPCL) 7; 3. Swati Ghate (LIC) 6.5; 4. Aswini Pacchhapurkar (Mah) 6.5; 5. R. Sai Meera (Indian Bank) 6.5; 6. Anuprita Patil(Mah) 6; 7. Y. Pratibha (TN) 6; 8. Madhuri Patil (Mah) 6; 9. Rucha Pujari (Mah) 6; 10. C.V. Rajlaxmi (TN) 6; 11. Pushpalatha Mangal (Mah) 5.5; 12. R. Mahima (TN) 5.5; 13. Swati Mohota (WB) 5.5; 14. Namita Mhetar (Mah)5.5 and 15. J. Sankpal (LIC) 5.

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