AGENCIES, PANJIM: Goa’s Woman Grandmaster Bhakti Kulkarni added one more feather in her crown of achievements when she completed all three norms of Men’s International Master title. Bhakti – a gold Medallist in Commonwealth and Asian Woman Championships – defeated Grandmaster Kapnisis of Greece in an attacking game on way to her third prize and International Master norm.
“Very few people understand that Chess is a sport and it needs lot of physical stamina to compete in International tournaments among men. So the World Chess Federation keeps different tournaments/titles for the girls,”said Bhakti from Heraklion, Greece.
The Central Govt gives equal importance to men and women. However some of us are not satisfied with winning Grandmaster titles among women. We want to prove that the women can exert themselves to reach what the men with higher stamina achieve. I am happy that I have reached a milestone, ” she added.
Bhakti -a winner of three Goan Men’s Championships in her teens- had started her quest for the Men’s International Master title when she won Highland Open Masters in the Czech Republic in 2013. The Goodwill Brand Ambassador of Goa Carbon Limited scored second norm when she achieved the feat in Mumbai Mayor’s Cup International in 2014.
Bhakti will now compete in Goa International Grandmaster Chess Tournament next month before going to Russia for the World Women Championships in November.
