PANJIM: WGM Bhakti Kulkarni alongwith WIM Ivana Furtado will spearhead the Goan challenge at 41st National Women Challengers chess championship to be held, at Peddem Sports Complex, Peddem, Mapusa, on Saturday, 5 p.m.
WGM Padmini Rout of Odisha (rating 2354) is the top seed while Bhakti (rating 2328) is the second seed. Altogether two IM’s, six WGM’s, one WIM and 10 WFM’s titled players have registered for the tournament.
The selected Goan players for the tournament are Aditee Prabhugaonkar, Aishwarya Thorat, Swera Bragaanza, Gauri Hadkonkar, Sakshi Naik Gaonkar, Tanvi Hadkonkar and Gayatri Thevar.
Total 29 Goan players are taking part in the 10 day tournament which is being conducted in the State for the first time. Swapnil Hoble is the team manager for Goa while Sanjay Kavlekar is the coach.
Altogether, 150 players from all over India are expected to take part. As per the Government of Goa sports policy, 10 sports merit marks will be given for participation in an inter-state National sports event.
Meanwhile, there will be a felicitation of Goan players who received FIDE titles and best players. Following are the players and Taluka’s which will be felicitated: IM Anurag Mhamal (Best player of the year 2013-2014 in open category), WGM Bhakti Kulkarni (Best women player in women’s category), WIM Ivana Furtado (Commendable performance award for the year 2013-14 in girls category), Rohan Ahuja (commendable performance award for the year 2013-14 in the boys category), Ponda Taluka Chess Association (Best Taluka Association in developed Taluka category for the year 2013-14), Marmugao Taluka Chess Association (commendable performance award in developed Taluka category).
Title Awards: IM Anurag Mhamal for achieving International Master, WGM Bhakti Kulkarni for achieving Women Grand Master, WIM Ivana Furtado for achieving Women International Master, CM Nitish Belurkar for achieving Candidate Master, WFM Riya Savant for achieving Women Fide Master, CM Leon Mendonca for achieving Candidate Master, Gunjal Chopdekar for achieving WCM title performance at Asian School Chess championship and Swera Braganca on achieving WCM title performance at Asian School Chess championship.
Minister for Sports, Ramesh Tawadkar will inaugurate the tournament.
