The Sports Editor,
Dear Sir/Madam, Kindly publish following news item in your esteemed publication and oblige. *Bhakti Wins First Prize in Prestigious Highland IM Chess* Goa Carbon Ltd Goodwill Ambassador and International Woman Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni clinched first prize in Highland International Masters Chess Tournament concluded at Trebic, Czech Republic today. Bhakti was awarded Men’s International Master norm for this achievement. Dr. Jan Mazuch –Director of Czech Tours commented that in the history of 20 years of Czech tour, he does not remember a lady winning first prize among more qualified men players. Bhakti (Rating 2285) was seeded sixth in the starting lineup of 10 handpicked invited players. They all played each other in 9 well fought rounds. Bhakti said,” The advantage came to me when I defeated top seeded German International Master Sebastian Plischki (rating 2436) in just 16 moves in the second round." Thereafter it was a race for the title between Bhakti and the top seed Plischki which the Goan lass won on tie break in the end. Bhakti's back to back wins over FM Kratochvil and IM Piankov towards the end brought her nearer first prize and she clinched it in an exciting finish. “My win over Ukranian Piankov was certainly one of the most memorable games of my career,” said the only Goan to win Asian Games medal. Bhakti now moves on to Slovakia to play in Tatry International Open and then to Budapest for First Saturday International. “My aim is to qualify for the Indian Team for the forthcoming chess Olympiad in Norway later in 2014.” Bhakti's trainer Dronacharya Awardee Raghunandan Gokhale expressed happiness over Bhakti’s result. “She is destined for higher achievements. This is just the beginning,” commented the ace coach. Final Rankings and Photo follow around 7 pm. IST -- *Ms. Bhakti Kulkarni,* *Asian Indoor Games Double Medalist,* *Goodwill Ambassador for GCL, * *International Woman Grand Master,* *Goa,India.*
