When it comes to the women’s National chess championship, S. Vijayalakshmi can safely be said to have been there, done that. Going by her stupendous showing in the Chennai Open in January and her victorious campaign in the National Challenger in June, this title could well be Vijayalakshmi’s. The 12-player field is led by Eesha Karavade, who has returned to the National championship after five years. For Eesha and Vijayalakshmi, the challengers include five other former champions — Padmini Rout, Mary Ann Gomes, Swati Ghate, Nisha Mohota and Soumya Swaminathan. For Swati and Nisha, among the more experienced players, the wait for a second title has stretched to a decade.

Source: The Hindu November 02, 2016 18:41 UTC