Ivana in the top "Cybergoans" list!

World Under 8 Girls Champion Ivana Furtado earned more kudos when her
name has figured in the top 101 "Cybergoans" list. She will now be participating in
the World Schools Championships in Halkidiki, Greece from 24th April to 6th May, 2007.

About Ivana, Fredrick Noronha writes - "Seen in context, it is amazing that a tiny region like Goa (and its diaspora) could produce such a human resource. It is equally amazing that this talent still goes largely unrecognised back home."

The complete article about the little Champion can be read at the following address - http://goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=706

Bhakti wins Goa State Women's Championship

Commonwealth Under 18 Girls Champion and Woman FIDE
Master Bhakti Kulkarni (ELO 2106) added yet another feather
to her much feathered cap when she won the Goa State Women's Championship
conducted at the Conference Hall of the Fatorda Stadium, SAG today.

Bhakti who is studying in the Ninth Standard of Mahila and Nutan High School, Margao
needed only a draw in the last round and she got that without
much ado against unrated Anuradha Chavan. Bhakti finished with 4.5
points out of a possible 5 and took home Rs. 2500 and the Winner's Trophy
for her efforts.

Anuradha, who hails from Mushtifund Higher Secondary, Panjim finished
in second place on four points and edged out Celianne Carvalho (ELO 1926) of Sharada Mandir High School, Miramar on a better 'cut progressive score'. Celianne won her last round game against C.P. Manasa of Sanvordem but had to be satisfied with the third place.

Reputed coach and veteran player Mrs. Prasanna Swamy (ELO 1861) beat Diksha Chavan to finish fourth whereas Shradha Mohanan (ELO 1857) beat Vaisakhi Pilarnkar to finish fifth.
Incidentally, other than Mrs. Swamy, all the top ten finishers were from the Subjunior category which augurs well for the future of Goan chess. The top five will represent Goa in the National Women's 'B' to be held later in Andhra Pradesh this year.

The siblings Niraj and Nandini Saripalli who had won glittering trophies in the Telegraph Schools, Kolkata were felicitated on this occasion by the Power Minister Digamber Kamat whereas Vidula Dempo (5 years) was awarded a special prize for being the youngest participant by AICF Vice President Sameer A. Salgaocar.

Chief Guest Mrs. Asha Digamber Kamat gave away the prizes and Mrs. Maria Menezes who was the Guest of Honour also graced the event with her presence.

The Final Standings :

1. Bhakti Kulkarni
2. Anuradha Chavan
3. Celianne Carvalho
4. Prasanna Swamy
5. Shradha Mohanan
6. Diksha Chavan
7. Vaisakhi Pilarnkar
8. Ivana Furtado
9. C.P. Manasa
10 -13. Nadia Dias, Reema Naik and Sakshi Prabhu

Special Prize : Vidula Dempo

Niraj, Nandini excel in Telegraph Chess

Young Niraj Saripalli (ELO 1987) won the Under 12 Boys section with a score of 8/11 points
in the Telegraph Schools Chess tournament which concluded in Kolkata.

His elder sister Nandhini Saripalli (ELO 1884) won second place in the Under 14 Girls section
with a score of 7 points. More than 300 participants took part in this prestigious event
and the Saripalli siblings did themselves and Goa proud while winning trophies in the
process!

Four time National Champion and Arjuna Awardee Surya Shekhar Ganguly was the Chief Guest
at the Prize distribution ceremony and gave away the prizes. Emphasising on physical fitness in chess, Surya Sekhar said: “Do anything… like swimming, yoga or karate… but be fit.”
He also asked the parents not to put pressure on their children. “Let them enjoy and learn. Let Biswajit’s unfortunate death be an example to all of us.” A budding table tennis player, Biswajit Bhattacharya (14) had died after allegedly being beaten up by his demanding father early in January.