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