Nandhidhaa beats Srishti in final round, retains National title

P.V. Nandhidhaa beat Srishti Pandey in the 11th and final round on Saturday to retain her title in the National women’s chess championship at Durgapur. Starting the final round equal on points with Mary Ann Gomes, the Tamil Nadu player defeated Srishti to seal the top prize with 9.5 points while the former, who could only manage a draw against V. Varshini had to settle for second place.

Final placings (top five): 1. P.V. Nandhidhaa (TN) 9.5 points, 2. Mary Ann Gomes (PSPB) 9; 3. Arshiya Das (Tripura) 8.5, 4. Shubhi Gupta (UP) 8; 5. Kalyani Sirin (Ker) 8.