Goa''s Bhakti gets Woman Grand Master norm

Panaji, Jan 24 (PTI) International woman master BhaktiKulkarni of Goa became the first from the State to win theWoman Grand Master norm after she finished second in theMerianbad Open Chess Championship in Czech Republic.

Bhakti scored 5.5 points out of 9 rounds as she beatMatras Ondrej, Jurek and Bulmaga Irina and drew with VolodiViktor and Antipov Milhail of Russia, Mickiewicz Piotrof Poland and Dimitrijeski Boris of Germany, a press releaseissued by the Goa Chess Association, said.

A brand ambassador for Carbon Group of Dempo, Bhaktiwas recently awarded the WIM title by FIDE.

The Goa Chess Association said it expects Bhakti wouldcomplete her two other WGM norms and get the WGM title. PTIMCS ABC CM