Padmini Rout’s hat-trick in National Women Premier Chess Championship

International Master (IM) Padmini Rout secured a hat-trick of titles in the 43rd National Women Premier Chess Championship that concluded in New Delhi.

The Odisha girl was at the top of her game right through and did not face any great challenge in her quest to strike for gold. Padmini had won the titles in 2014 and 2015.

The defending champion played out a hard-fought draw with her Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) teammate Eesha Karavade that helped her to secure a hat-trick of titles.

Ending her tally with eight points from 11 games, Padmini Rout managed to put an end to a series of mediocre performances that saw her rating go down by over 70 points. With this triumph, her ratings will certainly go up as she stands to gain 12-13 points.

“This is indeed an incredible moment for me. I have worked very hard for this event and now it has paid off,” said Padmini.

The victory ensured that Padmini Rout will be a part of the Indian women team in the next World team’s chess championship in which the Indian eves qualified by virtue of their performance in the last Chess Olympiad. The other two confirmed members of the team are Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and D Harika while the remaining two places will be decided most likely according to February rating list.

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