------------------------------------------------------------------------ TRI Continental Film Festival - Dona Paula, Goa, Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2007
http://www.moviesgoa.org/tricontinental/tricon.htm For public viewing. Registration at The International Centre Goa. (Ph: +91-832-2452805 to 10) Online Media Partner: http://www.GOANET.org ------------------------------------------------------------------------ In a fitting finale, Goa's Bhakti Kulkarni (ELO 2112) defeated WIM elect and reigning National Junior Champion Soumya Swaminathan (ELO 2178) of Maharashtra to clinch the National Junior Girls Championship which is being played in Nagpur. Soumya had won the last two editions of this event and was aiming for a hat trick. She had the advantage of home state and also she was in terrific form having accomplished three Women International Norms in Spain in three consecutive tournaments. Besides, she had beaten Bhakti convincingly in their only encounter in the National 'A' in 2006. With all these factors in her favour and the pressure of clinching the title squarely resting on Bhakti's young shoulders, it was always going to be an uphill struggle. As usual, it was the Coach and Dronacharya Awardee Raghunandan Gokhale who came to the rescue with a subtle change in Bhakti's opening. She essayed the Ruy Lopez once again with a slight variation from her earlier game against S. Harini (ELO 2087). Soumya was caught unaware as the game drifted into dynamic equality. In desperation, the reigning champ lashed out and in the overstretch, Bhakti capitalised to pocket the full point. Incidentally, the first ever National Juniors Girls Champion was Gokhale 's student - WIM Anupama Gokhale. This is the first National Championship for Goa coming in the 40th year of existence of Goa State Chess Association. In a field of 5 Women International Masters (including the Asian Junior Champion and the 2 time National Junior Champion), to record a triumph with a round to spare speaks volumes of Bhakti's improved play, dedication and hardwork. Bhakti will play nothing less than 6 international tournaments next year as a result of this victory including the World Junior and Asian Junior Championships. All the office bearers of Goa State Chess Association including the President Sameer A. Salgaocar and the Secretary Suhas Asnodkar are in jubilant mood. A grand reception awaits Bhakti when she returns to Goa following her stupendous victory in Nagpur! SOURCE: Sameer Salgaocar - President, GSCA
