WGM Mary Ann Gomes wins Velammal AICF Women Round Robin
India’s Women Grandmaster, Mary Ann Gomes, clinched the title in the Velammal-AICF International Women Grandmaster Round Robin Tournament 2024 organised by Tamil Nadu State Chess Association at Hotel Chennai Le Palace, Porur, Chennai, solidifying her triumph one round earlier with yet another impressive victory in the eleventh round. Concluding the tournament with a flourish, Mary defeated compatriot Mounika Akshaya in the final round with the white pieces in 39 moves using the English Opening, amassing a total of 9 points to claim the title, along with a prestigious trophy and a prize of Rs 2 lakh 50 thousand.
In the battle for second place, both Women Grandmaster Enkhtuul Altan of Mongolia and India’s Velpula Sarayu secured victories in the final round, tallying 7.5 points each. However, based on superior tiebreak scores, WGM Enkhtuul Altan secured the second-place position, while Velpula Sarayu settled for third place. WGM Enkhtuul triumphed over WIM Sakshi Chitlange of India, while Velpula defeated compatriot Rindhiya V in the last round. WGM Enkhtuul Altan was awarded a prize of Rs 1 lakh 50 thousand, while Velpula Sarayu received Rs 1 lakh 30 thousand. Notably, Velpula Sarayu earned the title of Women International Master during this tournament.
In other final round results, Mongolia’s Uuriintuya Uurtsaikh defeated India’s Mahalakshmi M, while Italy’s Elena Sedina drew with India’s Monisha GK, and Colombia’s Angela Franco drew with France’s Nino Maisuradze. Following Mary, Enkhtuul, and Sarayu, Elena Sedina secured fourth place with 6.5 points, followed by Uurtshekh in fifth place with 6 points, and Sakshi in sixth place with 5.5 points. Angela and Mounika claimed seventh and eighth place, respectively, with 5 points each, while Monnisha ranked ninth with 4.5 points, and Mahalakshmi stood at tenth with 4 points. Nino finished eleventh with 4 points, and Rindhiya concluded twelfth with 1.5 points.
At the ptize distribution function Shri Dev A Patel, Secretary, All India Chess Federation was the Chief Guest and distributed the prizes, Shri. D.P Anantha, Vice President, AICF, in presece of Shri. Bhavesh Patel, former Vice President, AICF, Shri. Stephen Balasamy P, General Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Chess Association welcomed the gathering and Shri. B. Murugavel proposed vote of thanks.
top three finishers with the chief guests
Results of Round Eleven :
- WGM Mary Ann Gomes (India) 9beat WIM Bommini Mounika Akshaya (India)5, 2. WIM Angela Franco Valencia (Colombia)5 drew withWGM Nino Maisuradze (France)4, 3. WIM Monisha GK (India)4.5 drew withIM Sedina Elena (Italy)6.5, 4. WGM Enkhtuul Altan Ulzii (Mongolia) 7.5beatWIM Chitlange Sakshi (India)5.5, 5. WGM Uuriintuya Uurtsaikh (Mongolia) 6 beat WIM Mahalakshmi M (India)4, 6. Rindhiya V (India) 1.5 lost to Velpula Sarayu (India) 7.5.
Final Ranking :
| Rank | Name | FED | Pts | SB | |
| 1 | WGM | Gomes Mary Ann | India | 9 | 45.25 |
| 2 | WGM | Enkhtuul Altan-Ulzii | Mongolia | 7½ | 44.25 |
| 3 | Velpula Sarayu | India | 7½ | 35.50 | |
| 4 | IM | Sedina Elena | Italy | 6½ | 32.50 |
| 5 | WGM | Uuriintuya Uurtsaikh | Mongolia | 6 | 30.50 |
| 6 | WIM | Chitlange Sakshi | India | 5½ | 26.50 |
| 7 | WIM | Franco Valencia Angela | Colombia | 5 (1) | 23.75 |
| 8 | WIM | Bommini Mounika Akshaya | India | 5 (0) | 25.50 |
| 9 | WIM | Monnisha G K | India | 4½ | 19.75 |
| 10 | WIM | Mahalakshmi M | India | 4 (1) | |
| 11 | WGM | Maisuradze Nino | France | 4 (0) | 25.75 |
| 12 | Rindhiya V | India | 1½ | 6.50 |
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