Bhakti is the FIRST Goan to qualify for 'A'

Bhakti Kulkarni became the first Goan to qualify for the National ‘A’ Women’s chess championship to be played in December this year at Rajkot.

The Asian U-14 girls champion and student of Mahila Nutan School, Margao scored a dramatic win over eighth-seeded Nabila Farheen (Elo 2103) in the 11th round of ‘B’ event in Chennai to take her score to 7.5 points. Bhakti, who had made an offer for a draw in the initial stage, turned the tables on her opponent, winning in 36 moves.

Bhakti’s coach Dronacharya awardee Raghunandan Gokhale remarked that Bhakti’s qualification was just the beginning of a bright future for Goan chess, stated a Goa State Chess Association’s congratulatory press release.

Bhakti's next tournaments include the World Youth Championships in Batumi, Georgia, the Commonwealth Chess Championship in Mumbai and the National Women's 'A' in Rajkot.