Rucha Pujari with the trophy in Guwahati on Saturday. Picture by Eastern Projections

National chess meet

Guwahati, Aug. 29: Women Fide Master Rucha Pujari got the better of A. Sithalachumi to turn the tables on overnight leader Amrutha Mokal and clinch the title of the 37th National Women Challengers Chess Tournament that concluded at the Shilpgram here yesterday.

In the final round Sonakshi Rathore, who had upset top seed International Master Bhagyashree Thipsay in an earlier round, put an end to Mokal’s dream run while Pujari continued with her accuracy of the last couple of rounds to defeat Sithalachumi to claim the championship with nine points.

On the top board, Amrutha, playing white, started with the king pawn to which Sonakshi replied with d5, which led to the centre counter opening. The opening moves suggested that Sonakshi was well prepared for the kill and would go all out to upset the tournament leader.

However, as usual, Amrutha played solidly and didn’t give any opening advantage to black. But the pressure of the event finally got to her as she played a couple of weak moves and Sonakshi took advantage.

Mokal finished the runners-up with 8.5 points while Rathore tallied eight points to be third and S. Harini had 7.5 under her belt to be fourth. The remaining players among the top 20, who qualified for the Premier Chess Championship to be held in Orissa, finished with seven points per head as all other games till the 10th board settled for quick draws.Thipsay, the only World International Master in the tournament managed to finish 17th.