Self belief is the key to my consistency: Bhakti

HERALD: Congratulations Bhakti on your recent International Women Blitz Tournament (Erfurt -Germany) victory. How do you feel about the achievement?

Bhakti Kulkarni: Thank you. It was completely unexpected and I was lucky too. I was not invited to be part of the elite group of Woman Grandmasters (WGMs) originally scheduled to play. However, when Iranian WGM Hezazpour backed out at the last moment, the organisers included me. There were total 14 players and we played 13 rounds on all play all basis. 

I was seeded 11th out of 14 with just three German girls after me. I just went and played to prove myself. I wanted to prove that we Indians can give a tough time for the European elites and I succeeded. I secured nine wins and four draws to outdistance the field. 

HERALD:How confident were you when you started in Erfurt and how did you approach your games?

BK: I was a bit upset when I was not included in the elite 14 first. I had won Gold in Asian Junior Blitz Championship before and knew that I can give tough time to all of them. So when they invited me as wild card entry, I was determined to do well. 

There was huge crowd watching us as the games were played on exhibition floor of the mall. Everybody kept on cheering me as they loved an underdog winning against top players. It was unique experience for me as I was playing the top Europeans for the first time. 

HERALD: You also clinched the 44th National Women Challengers Chess Championship, at Mysore Sports Club, Mysore-Karnataka? Could you tell us something about your success there?

BK: It was sort of making of history as far as National Woman Challengers are concerned. No one had managed to win it after losing the very first round in its history of the 40 plus years. Everyone had written me off. Only my coach Dronacharya Awardee Raghunandan Gokhale stood up firmly behind me. He was in Europe with his other students. But he adjusted his timetable in my hour of need and helped me prepare for each game. 

"Just take every game individually. Do not see the larger picture. Think you are in Mysore only to play that one game," was his advise. When I met top seed Soumya Swaminathan in the penultimate round, she was leading without a loss till then.  I dethroned her with an attacking game. By this time my unprecedented winning run had awaken so much interest in the chess field that the website showing live games recorded maximum hits. I was showered with congratulations from all quarters. Super GM Adhiban -- among other GMs sent me his congratulations, too from his busy schedule. It was as if I had done something out of the world. 

HERALD: You have been a very consistent player, can you share with us some of your secrets to success?

BK: Actually, my results are consistent overall but I have this tendency to drop few games unexpectedly. I am working to remove this lacuna. There is no secret formula. I consider it my duty and passion to play for my State and win. This attitude has helped me to win Commonwealth and Asian Woman titles beside National titles. Believe in yourself and everything will work out fine. I have been Goodwill Ambassador for Goa Carbon Ltd. Shrinivas Dempo helped me to be the first Woman Grand Master from Goa. I try to pay them back through my performances. This attitude has helped me to be consistent.   

HERALD: What was the difference between National and International tournaments? How do you plan your strategy?

BK: Many players avoid playing in the Nationals as they are afraid of losing face as well as rating points. But I consider it as an opportunity to give back something to my State. A Goan winning National Championship raises our State's prestige. Of course psychologically it is tougher to play in India as the players are well prepared and know your game. If you lose a game, immediately it is flashed in all the papers as it happened in my case at Mysore. I do not consider losing a game as a crime. It is part of the game.  

On the other hand, the Europeans try to beat you in every game and surprisingly they tend to underestimate you in spite of Viswanathan Anand’s performance. This creates opportunity for you to put one across them. Besides, the atmosphere is conducive for chess e.g. quiet playing hall, less distractions like TV etc. 

HERALD: Tell us something about your ongoing tour in Europe? What are your chances?

BK: I have been playing continuously for the last two months. After National Challengers in Mysore, I have been playing chess without a single day's rest. However, I am very optimistic about my chances in the Olomouc Men’s Master Tournament. 

Besides, winning first prize in Blitz in Erfurt, I stood second in classical tournament where I was seeded 13th. I had to lose first round at Prague Summer Open as it was clashing the last round at Erfurt. In spite of this, I stood second among women. 

HERALD: Which are your favourite books you read and why? 

BK: I like to read motivational books during tournament for relaxation. Goan writer Sampada Kunkolikar’s books are my favourite. Nobody will believe it but I like to read children's books too. For example, Enid Blyton’s “Famous Five” takes you in an innocent world which is truly relaxing.