On a bad day for the Indian contingent, Goa Carbon Limited Brand Ambassador Bhakti Kulkarni (6.5) went down fighting to Russian Woman Grandmaster Sixth seeded Aleksandra Goryachkina in the eleventh round of World Junior Girls Chess Championship being played at Hotel Tatiana, Athens today. Earlier Bhakti held third seeded Russian WGM Alina Kashlinskaya (Rating 2391) to a draw in the tenth round.
The eleventh round saw young Ivana Furtado (5.5) and National Junior Girls Champion Pon N Krithika (4.5) losing to their respective opponents. Interestingly in the twelfth round Bhakti has a chance to take sort of revenge against Colombian Paula Rodriguez (6.5) who defeated Ivana in the eleventh round. Ivana had earlier outwitted American Liao Simone in the tenth round. Bhakti, the Asian Junior Girls Blitz Champion tried to make it a fight from the Black pieces against sixth seeded Goryachkina but had to resign the battle after 39 moves. Earlier Bhakti (rating 2159) missed a win against third seed Kashlinskaya(2391) and had to settle for a draw. 24th seeded Bhakti said, "I had dream positions against Vojinovich and Kashlinskaya but could only draw after bitter struggle as the Russians' defensive technique is very good". Two more rounds to go in this 13 round World Championship. Goanet Sports www.goanet.org
