Mary Ann Gomes completed her third and final International Master norm as drawn games ruled the penultimate round of the Velammal National Premier women's chess championship here on Tuesday.
On completion of her draw with Eesha Karavade, Mary Ann, who works for the Airports Authority of India, achieved her third and final men's International Master norm.
“I made my earlier norms in the Paris Open 2009 and Czech Open 2010,” said Mary.
Mary, a WGM, however, requires to touch or cross the 2400-rating mark to complete the title requirement. As the top eight tables ended in fighting draws, standings at the top remained unchanged.
Keeps lead
Mary kept her half-point lead with 7.5 points. She needs a draw from the final round on Wednesday for her maiden title.
At the table, fourth-seeded Mary sacrificed a rook for bishop and pawn. She offered a draw which third seeded Eesha Karavade accepted immediately. Eesha and Padmini Rout are on seven points and they share the second-third places.
Only these three players and Tania Sachdev (Del) in fourth place on 6.5 points have title chances in the final round.
The results (10th round): Eesha Karavade (Mah) 7 drew with Mary Ann Gomes (WB) 7.5; Padmini Rout (Ori) 7 drew with Kiran Mohanty (Ori) 6; C. Divyasree (AP) 6 drew with Tania Sachdev (Del) 6.5.
Sai Meera (TN) 6 drew with Nisha Mohota (WB) 6; Soumya Swaminathan (Mah) 5.5 drew with Michelle Catherina (TN) 5.5; Bhakti Kulkarni (Goa) 5.5 drew with S. Meenakshi (TN) 5.5; R. Bharathi (TN) 5.5 drew with B. Pratyusha (AP) 5.5; Pon N. Krithikha (TN) 5 drew with Swati Ghate (Mah) 5; Nimmy George (Ker) 5.5 bt Aarthie Ramaswamy (TN) 4.5.
Bala Kannamma (TN) 4.5 drew with J. Saranya (TN) 4.5; C. Sahajasri (AP) 4.5 drew with A. Akshaya (TN) 4.5; S. Harini (TN) 5 bt M. Mahalakshmi (TN) 4.
Supriya Joshi (Mah) 2 lost to Swati Mohota (WB) 4.5; Shweta Gole (Mah) 4 drew with Madhurima Shekhar (Del) 2.5; P.V. Nandhidhaa (TN) 4, bye.
