Nisha emerges champion

Nisha Mohota of Petroleum Sports Promotion Board, a former National Women Premier Champion, won the 41st National Women Challengers Chess Championship 2014 at Pedem Sports Complex Mapusa.
Overnight joint leaders, International Master Subbaraman Vijayalakshmi of Air India and International Master Nisha Mohota won their respective games against Neha Singh of Bihar and Lakshmi Praneetha of AP, respectively.
The winner had to be decided on tie break as both the players scored equal 9.5 points from 11 rounds. Nisha managed to emerge on top on the basis of better tie break, while Vijayalakshmi had to settle for a silver.
Hinduja Reddy of Anrdra Pradesh scored 8.5 points to bag the bronze medal.

Last year's National Premier players -- Bhakti Kulkarni and Ivana Furtado won their respective games against Swati Ghate of LIC and Smarki Mohanty of Orisa -- to qualify for Women National Premier Chess Championship.