Padmini, Kiran finish second, third

Orissa`s International Woman Masters Padmini Rout and Kiran Manisha Mohanty finished second and third respectively in the 23rd Junior (under-19) National Women`s Chess Championship, which concluded at Tetepallygudem in Andhra Pradesh today. World under-14 girls` champion Padmini scored 8.5 points in the 11-round competition, while Kiran logged eight points. Maharashtra WIM Soumya Swaminathan emerged champion with 10 points. Padmini won seven games, drew three and lost one to Swaminathan. She received the second prize of Rs 11,000. Kiran`s performance included six wins, four draws and one defeat. She was given Rs 9,000. The top three finishers qualified to represent the country in the Asian and World Junior Championships. Among other Orissa girls, Aparajita Gochhikar, Krushna Mishra and Adyasha Patnaik occupied the 19th, 27th and 29th positions respectively. M R Lalit Babu (9 points), P Kartikeyan (8.5) and B Adhiban (8.5) finished first, second and third respectively in the 38th Junior (under-19) National Men`s Championship held at the same venue. Orissa`s Anwesh Upadhyaya and Debasis Das were placed 14th and 16th in the final standings.