Bhakti First Goan to Win Silver in National Women Chess
Goa Carbon Limited Goodwill Ambassador and India's latest Woman Grandmaster
Bhakti Kulkarni (7.5 points) put Goa on the map of Indian Chess by becoming
the first Goan Chess player to win a medal in National Men/Women Chess
Championship. Bhakti tied for first place in the National Women Premier
Chess Championship at Jalgaon with Mary Ann Gomes(AAI), Saumya Swaminathan
and Eesha Karvade but had to be satisfied with silver medal behind Mary Ann
Gomes due to lower tie break.
In her speech during the prize distribution Bhakti hailed Mary's fighting
spirit. 23 year old WGM Mary Ann Gomes while speaking to journalists after
the function was magnanimous in her praise for Bhakti." It was lucky title
for me,said the Champion,the real winner should be Bhakti who proved herself
worthy as a WGM".
Bhakti,who started the Championship as 9th seed gave a sterling performance
by matching wits with all the experienced WGMs. "It was one of the toughest
tournaments in my career," said a tired Bhakti after battling for nearly six
hours with top seed Eesha Karvade. " I am happy to get Goa its first medal
of Men/women Championship."
Goa Chess Association Secretary Arvind Mhmal was the first one to offer
kudos to Bhakti. Many senior chess players across India also showered
congratulatory SMSs on the 20 year old who was accompanied by her father
Pradip and mother Priya.
Bhakti was all praise for her trainer Dronacharya Raghunandan Gokhale who
was busy coaching other Goan talents in Panaji . She said that Gokhale sir
used to come online to guide her in spite of his hectic day and prepared her
for the next round. Gokhale remarked from Panaji," this is just a stepping
stone for talented Bhakti. Watch how far she goes in future".
Bhakti is adding 35 Elo rating points in her ever growing kitty. She will
participate in the Commonwealth Chess Championship, Chennai from 22nd
November,2012.
Source: BK
Goanet Sports
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