Panaji
Woman Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni claimed the 44th National Women Challengers Chess Championship, held at Mysore Sports Club, Mysore, Karnataka, on Saturday.
Playing against Srishti Pandey (1930 ratings), Bhakti (2255 rating) -- who represents Air India -- showed no signs of hardship as she eased her way past her opponent to claim the title with 9.5 points at the end of the 11th round. The Goan star came back strongly in the tournament following her first round shock defeat against lower ranked Rindhiya V and went on to collect 9.5 points out of the possible 10 points in the next 10 rounds. Bhakti drew against Mary Ann Gomes in the
seventh round.
"When I lost the first round, everybody wrote me off. But I stuck to my and fought like a true Goan and succeeded in winning the championship," an elated Bhakti said of her stunning win. The Goa Carbon Limited Goodwill Ambassador won the title for the second time after clinching the crown in 2011.
Meanwhile, WGM Mary Ann (2331) bagged the second spot with 9 points. The PSPB player defeated Bala Kannamma P (1977 rating) in the final round, while top seed Soumya Swaminathan (2349 rating) had to settle for the third spot with 8.5 points. The WGM beat Woman International Master Pujari Rucha in the last round.
Goa Chess Association President Nilesh Cabral congratulated Bhakti on her remarkable feat. "I would like to congratulate Bhakti for winning the national title. She has made us proud. She showed great spirit and determination throughout the tournament," Cabral said. "The Goan players are doing exceptionally well at the National platform and this shall motivate the young aspirants. We will work towards continuing to get such results in future," added Cabral.
Other young and upcoming players from Goa, Snehal Naik finished third and her sister Sayuri Naik came fifth under 1300 rating.
