Bhakti Wins Asian Women Championship and a Seat in World Women Championship
Women Grandmaster and Goa Carbon Limited Goodwill Ambassador Bhakti Kulkarni of India won the prestigious Asian Women Chess Championship at Tashkent(Uzbekistan) today evening. Bhakti remained unbeaten in the star studded Championship and won a seat in World Chess Championship.Bhakti was also awarded $5000 as prize money. Grandmaster Dronavali Harika ,who had won Asian title in 2011 was the first one to congratulate Bhakti from Hungary. She wrote to Bhakti-“Welcome in the World Championship. Congrats for winning the title for India. Now work harder!!” Bhakti gave credit of her win to her coach and mentor Dronacharya Raghunandan Gokhale who prepared Bhakti everyday on net. “Hats off to Gokhale sir. He knew exactly what strategy to adopt and I just followed it.” Raghunandan Gokhale is a happy man. His wife Anupama had been twice winner of Asian Women Championship in 1985 and 1987. “Now we waited for nearly 30 years for one of my students to do it. Both myself and Anupama are proud of Bhakti!” Bhakti was rank outsider in the seeding list. She was 16th seed among 34 top Asian players from China,India,Iran,Vietnam etc. However she played aggressively and took an early lead by a scintillating win over top seeded Sarasadat (Iran) in 4th round and never looked back. Bhakti was elated after her last round fighting draw with Vietnamese Grandmaster Hoang Thi Bao Tram. Bhakti’s entry into the World Championship is a big boost for Indian chess as only the Asian Champion is allowed to play there. Bhakti will return to Goa on 6th June from Tashkent via Delhi. *Ms. Bhakti Kulkarni,* *Goodwill Ambassador for GCL,* *International Woman Grand Master,* *Goa,India.*
