Herald: What made you go after the men’s norm?
Bhakti Kulkarni: I have achieved the highest title of Woman Grand Master (WGM). So I thought why not try for something really rare?
Herald: How did you feel on being bestowed the Men’s International Master title?
BK: I feel proud to be the first Goan woman to achieve it. The scientists have found out that Chess needs lot of energy like physical sports and so women have disadvantage like athletics. I did it and I am proud. Hopefully Goan girls will take inspiration from this.
Herald: Whom would you like to dedicate your success to?
BK: I would like to dedicate my success to my sponsors Goa Carbon Ltd without whom I would not have achieved this feat. Also I thank Air India who is taking care of my international travel.
Herald: What is your next target?
BK: I am going to go step by step, rather square by square. I will concentrate on consolidating my gains. I am already qualified for World Woman Championship cycle being the current National Champion. I am qualified (as the current National Champion) to participate in the forthcoming Commonwealth Chess Championship to be held at New Delhi from June 29 to July 8, 2019. I will definitely try to win a medal for our country in the national capital.
Herald: How was the journey so far?
BK: My career is full of ups and down. I hail from a middle class family. I had to perform regularly to keep myself in the leading flock. However, my parents Pradip and Priya Kulkarni stood by me. I can say that I got the support from the right people at the right time! After I met my trainer Dronacharya Raghunandan Gokhale I started winning medals in the international events and got qualification to the world class tournaments in 2008.
Herald: How do you prepare when you play top rated players?
BK: It is really a team work. I rely on Gokhale sir’s guidance who studies minutely my opponent’s games and I just follow his instructions. This way I remain aloof from the awe of opponent’s name and fame. There are online databases from which we can collect the games of our opponents. Gokhale sir studies their weaknesses, the style of play whether attacking or defensive and then he forms a strategy of how to open the game, I prepare accordingly. I use Chessbase – the software being used by all professional players including world champions. It gives me the idea of their weakness. I discuss with the team coach if it is Indian team I am representing. It forms the attacking formula.
Herald: You were unable to take part in the 2nd Goa International Open Grandmaster Chess Tournament 2019, why?
BK: It’s great that Goa is hosting an International Chess Tournament. It is a joint effort of Nilesh Cabral and Kishor Bandekar. But unfortunately I could not make it due to my busy schedule. I was in China for a tournament from where I returned to Goa on June 17 after a 45-hour arduous flight. I felt that I could not have given my best. Besides, I am also playing at the Commonwealth Games beginning from June 29 and the Nationals. With heavy heart I decided to skip the Goa GM Tournament.
Herald: Central govt had not paid your long pending dues which Herald had highlighted. What is the scenario now?
BK: Till date I have been asking for the same but have not received any amount yet. Hopefully the new government will clear my dues.
