Bagayatkar was second and Jadhav third on the progressive score. Shirish Patil, who defeated Vasant Patil, was fourth and these four player will represent India in any international tournaments for the blind.

Bhat's battle against Swapnil Shah was crucial because if the latter won, he not only had a chance to finish in the top four but it would have given Jadhav and Bagayatkar the chance to claim the title.

Bhat resolutely defended his position and brought it to an equal ending when the players decided to split points. This settled the issue though Jadhav and Bagayatkar won their matches against S Seethavasan (TN) and Sanjay Karandikar (Mah) respectively.

RESULTS

Ninth round: Swapnil Shah (Mah) 6.5 points drew with Vilesh Bhat (Mah) 7.5;Charudatta Jadhav (Mah) 7.5 bt S Seethavasan (TN) 6; Sanjay Karandikar (Mah) 6 lost to Madan Bagatkayar (Mah) 7.5; Shirish Patil (Mah) 6 beat Vasant Patil (Mah) 5.5; Mahipal Singh (Haryana) 6.5 bt K Satyasheelam (Kerala) 5.5; Rajesh Rajput (Guj) 5 lost to Sunil Sasane (Mah) 6; SS Pandiyarajan (TN) 6 bt Dinesh Bhura (Guj) 5; N Siddaiah (AP) 6 bt Rajesh Oza (Mah) 5; Sarita Karde (Mah) 5 lost to Suryakant Raut (Mah) 5.5; Vijay Gauli (Mah) 4.5 lost to Gaurav Gadodia (Mah) 5.5.

Final standings: 1-3 Bhat (progressive score 42.5); Bagayatkar (36.5); Jadhav (32.5); 4. Shirish Patil; 5-6. Swapnil (36.5), Mahipal Singh (27.5), 7-10: Sanjay Karandikar (35), Seethavasam (33); Siddaiah (32); Sasane (32).