WGM Nandhidhaa P V (TN) scored an unbeaten 9/11 to win 50th National Women Championship 2024. This is her first National Women title. WIM Priyanka K (TN), IM Padmini Rout (PSPB) and WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty (LIC) scored 8.5/11 each. They secured second to fourth place according to tie-breaks. Nandhidhaa defeated WGM Priyanka Nutakki (AP) in the final round to become the champion. She also won against the defending champion, Padmini in Round 9. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹3000000. The top three prizes were ₹700000 + trophy, ₹550000 and ₹450000 each. The eleven-day eleven round Rating tournament was organized by and at Chettinadu Public School in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu from 3rd to 13th October 2024. This is Nandhidhaa’s first tournament triumph of the year and she secured her place in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025.
Photo shows WGM Nandhidhaa receiving the winner’s cheque from IAS Ayush Venkat Vats, Sub-Collector of Devakottai | Photo: IA V Vijayaraghavan
Tamil Nadu dominates the podium
Defending champion, Padmini Rout, looking for her sixth title, beat WFM J Saranya in the last round and had to wait for the top board result. Finally, she had to be content with the third place. The surprise of the event was by second placed WIM K Priyanka of TN. Probably the best performance so far in her chess career, Priyanka beat WGM Srija Seshadri, WGM Varshini V and IM Nisha Mohota, drew with WGM Nandhidhaa, IM Padmini, WGM Mary Ann Gomes, WGM Priyanka Nutakki and WFM Saranya. WGM Kiran Manisha Mohanty made a big leap by scoring 4.5 out of the last five rounds to finish at a creditable fourth place. Seasoned campaigners IM Bhakti Kulkarni and WGM Mary Ann Gomes finished with 8 points. Jeevika S of Puducherry gained 166 Elo rating points, won a crucial full point from Bhakti in the process.
From Nandhidhaa P V convincingly clinches 50th National Women Championship 2024 – ChessBase India