03 October,2012 08:19 AM IST | | Sundari Iyer
Janhavi Soneji of Canossa Convent High School's (Andheri) ploy of playing aggressive chess helped her clinch her maiden girls' U-16 Mumbai Schools Sports Association (MSSA) inter-school chess title at Don Bosco (Matunga) yesterday. Janhavi (ELO 1758) stunned top seed Parnali Dharia (ELO 1888) 7-6.
Janhavi Soneji mulls over a move during the MSSA chess tourney yesterday. Pic/Suresh KK
Janhavi was elated over her first win against higher-ranked Parnali. "I got the impression that this match could go either way. In the beginning, we both started attacking each other. Midway, she lost track and committed mistakes, which I capitalised on," said the 15-year-old.
Janhavi admitted that she was tense before her match. Parnali had a better finish at the recently concluded National U-15 championship at Andheri. Parnali finished fourth, while Janhavi claimed the ninth spot. "I did not think of winning against Parnali this time as she is a better player than me. Also, her performance at the U-15 girls' chess championship was far superior. I have played against Parnali four times in finals and lost thrice. Even in last year's MSSA final, I lost to her. Hence, this was a special win," Janhavi, a Class X student, told MiD DAY.
Results: (Final): G-U-10: Maitri Choksey (Jamnabai Narsee) 6.5/7, Kinnari Shah (SVVD School) 6/7; B-U-10: Dhairya Ghelani (Canossa Convent) 8.5/9, Jay Savla (SVKM International School) 8/9; G-U-12: Ekisha Basu (Maneckji Cooper) 7/7, Aashna Gajria (AVM) 6/7; B-U-12: Aman Khana (Gokuldham) 9/9, Kedar Morvekar (Dr Antonia D'silva HS) 8/9; G-U-14: Vishwa Shah ( St Anne's High School) 7/7, Virali Mehta (Jamnabai Narsee) 6/7; B-U-14: Mihir Desai 8.5/9, Harsh Solanki 7.5/9, Darshil Desai 7.5/9; B-U-16: Mithil Ajgaokar (St Paul's) 8.5/9, Viraj Tamhankar 8/9.
