Bhakti first Goan to secure WGM title

Bhakti Kulkarni became Goa’s first woman grand master after the world chess federation officially cleared her title at 83rd FIDE Congress in Istanbul.

Goa Carbon brand ambassador Bhakti finally secured her three norms in Marienbad Open(Czech) in January 2011, Asian Junior Girls under-20 at Sri Lanka in June last year and Caissa International in Hungary in September last year, necessary to qualify for the coveted title.

“I am very happy to become Goa’s first woman grand master,” an elated Bhakti said.

“It’s a dream of every chess player to achieve this feat and I am glad that I could finally do it,” she said

Bhakti, who is the first student of coach Raghunandan Gokhale to achieve this feet, chose to dedicate the achievement to her coach, parents and sponsor Shrinivas Dempo.

“I will now strive hard to achieve IM and IGM (international grandmaster) titles,” Bhakti said while setting her sight on the next targets.