Puri girl Aparajita Gochhikar claimed the title, scoring 5.5 points in the State Women Chess Championship, which concluded here today. Sradhanjali Jena (Jajpur) finished runner-up with five points, while Smaraki Mohanty (Kendrapara) and Akankhya Kabi (Bhubaneswar) occupied the third and fourth positions, securing four and 3.5 points respectively.

The top four finishers qualified to represent Orissa in the 37th National Women Challengers Chess Championship to be held at Guwahati, Assam from August 20 to 28. The three-day State championship was organised jointly by Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) and Jharsuguda District Chess Association (JDCA). Jharsuguda District Collector S N Mishra  handed over prizes at the closing function.
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PHOTO: Top four finishers and guests at the closing function of the State Women Chess Championship in Jharsuguda on July 13, 2010.