With qualification getting precedence, the last round encounters witnessed quick draws in the top four boards.

NEW QUALIFIERS: Y Pratibha, S Sujatha (TN) and Baisakhi Das (WB) were the new qualifiers to National `A'. Pratibha, who is representing the T Nagar Chess Academy, defeated Kiran Agarwal (TN) in 36 moves in the Dutch Stonewall opening.

Former National champion Mrunalini Kunte Aurangabadkar of IDBI got a `gift' from E Sheena of Kerala, who blundered in time trouble enabling the Maharashtrian to qualify.

National junior champion Nisha Mohota of WB was the notable player to miss out on the National `A'. She tied for eighth spotwith six points, but a lesser progressive score denied her the berth.

Results (9th round): Saheli Dhar-Barua (7) drew Neha Singh (6.5), S Meenakshi (6.5) drew Aarthie Ramaswami (7), S Sujatha (6.5) drew Pallavi Shah (6.5), Anupama Gokhale (6) drew Baisakhi Das (6), Kiran Agarwal (5.5) lost to Y Pratibha (6.5), Mrunalini Kunte Aurangabadka (6) bt E Sheena (5), Pushpalatha Mangal (5) lost to Nisha Mohota (6), Bindu K Saritha (5.5) drew TT Laxmi Priya (5.5), Swati Mohota (5) lost to Saheli Nath (6), MR Sangeetha (4.5) lost to M Sai Meera (5.5).
Final placings: 1 Saheli Dhar-Barua 7, 2 Aarthie Ramaswami 7, 3 Pallavi Shah 6.5, 4 S Meenakshi 6.5, 5 S Sujatha 6.5, 6 Y Pratibha 6.5, 7 Neha Singh 6.5, 8 Mrunalini Kunte Aurangabadkar 6, 9 Anupama Gokhale 6, 10 Baisakhi Das 6.

The qualifiers
Saheli Dhar-Barua (Rlys), Aarthie Ramawsami (TN), Pallavi Shah (Maharashtra), S Meenakshi (TN), S Sujatha (ECC), Y Pratibha (T Nagar Chess Academy), Neha Singh (Bihar), Mrunalini Kunte Aurangabadkar(IDBI), Anupama Gokhale (BPCL), Baisakhi Das (WB).