Padmini, Anwesh qualify for National ‘A’

Giving another phillip to chess in Orissa, Woman International Master Padmini Rout and State champion Anwesh Upadhyaya qualified for the National ‘A’ by finishing ninth and 14th respectively in the 47th National ‘B’ Championship, which concluded at Town Hall in Kolkata today. The teenage duo from Bhubaneswar secured nine points each from 13 rounds. Asian junior girls champion Padmini drew her 13th and final game against Swapnil S Dhopade to end her campaign on an impressive note. She won seven games, including one against International Master Suvrajit Saha, lost two and drew the remaining four, including two against IMs. Overall, it was a creditable performance by World under-14 title holder Padmini, who started her campaign with a ranking of 54. Anwesh also did well, posting seven wins, four draws and two defeats. He had started as ranked 30th. Among other three Orissa players, Swayams Mishra (7.5 points with 7 wins, 1 draw, 5 defeats), Binod Kumar Sahoo (7.5 points with 7 wins, 1 draw, 5 defeats) and Rakesh Kumar Nayak (7 points with 6 wins, 2 draws, 5 defeats) occupied 63rd, 84th and 108th respectively. International Master B Adhiban (PSCB) won the title with 10.5 points. Padmini and Anwesh are set to join a special club of four Orissa chess players, who have participated in National `A’, the highest domestic competition of the country. They are: S K Madan, Pabitra Mohan Mohanty, IM Sekhar Chandra Sahu and IM Swayangsu Satyapragyan. Padmini would be the first female and Anwesh the youngest Orissa players to compete in National `A’. Orissa results (Round 13): Anwesh Upadhyaya (9) bt Sayantan Das (WB), Padmini Rout (9) drew with Swapnil S Dhopade (Mah), Swayams Mishra (7.5) lost to N Sudhakar Babu (IB), Binod Kumar Sahoo (7.5) bt Vinod Bhagwat (Mah), Rakesh Kumar Nayak (7) bt V S Negi (IA).