PANAJI: International Master, Bhakti Kulkarni was held to a draw by WGM Pogonina Natalia from the host country Russia, at the ongoing FIDE World Cup.
In the first match of the second round, Indian chess star Bhakti played with white pieces, launching a Catalan opening. She forced her opponent into facing time pressure.
Goan chess legend Bhakti, who was a part of the Indian team that won online chess Olympiad last year, had a slight advantage. Both players were in time pressure though, but her opponent got the tactical shot and forced perpetual check to end up with a draw. Bhakti was however, the better of the two despite her Russian opponent being the higher-rated player.
Bhakti, who has won the National Women’s Chess Championship for two years in a row now, will be playing Pogonina with black pieces tomorrow in the decider.
