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PANJIM: Woman Grand Master Bhakti Kulkarni went down fighting to former World Woman Champion Hou Yifan (2595) of China in the second round of Asian Indoor Games in Incheon, South Korea. Bhakti is on two points after the third round.
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Due to suspension of Indian Olympic Association, the Indian chess, kabaddi and swimming teams are participating as independent Olympic athletes.
Bhakti started her campaign with a smooth win over WCM Emi Hasegawa of Japan in the first round. The Goan used sharp benko gambit to defeat Hasegawa.
Then, Bhakti faced Hou Yifan in the next round. “It’s a dream come true for me,” gushed Bhakti. “I could feel the pressure when I was playing Hou Yifan. But I fought well to maintain it equal only to lose a pawn in time trouble,” expressed Bhakti. Thereafter, Hou won the game on the 48th move.
Bhakti defeated International Woman Master Alzarooni of UAE to collect two points at the end of the third round.
