from daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, Aug 31: Goa’s Bhakti Kulkarni, asian Under 14 Girls Gold Medallist and Women FIDE Master, will lead the Indian team in the International Children's Club Chess tournament to be held in Elista, Republic of Kalmykia between September 28 to October 8, this year.

This will be a 'parallel' tournament to the World Championship reunification Match between Vesselin Topalov and Vladimir Kramnik held at the same venue.

"The kids compete in an international tournament as well as view a World Championship Match which is a once in a lifetime opportunity for them" stated All India Chess Federation (AICF), Vice President Sameer Salgaocar.
He complimented FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov for having come up with this concept

The other members of the Indian squad will be FM Vidit Gujarathi (Asian Under 12 Silver Medallist), FM Prasanna Rao (Asian Under 12 Bronze Medallist) and WFM Padmini Rout (Asian Under 12 Girls Gold Medallist), he said.

"Considering the inherent strength and the recent form of the team members, we stand a bright chance", mentions Dronacharya Awardee Raghunandan Gokhale who is the Coach of the team.

"For example, Vidit drew with three International Masters in Goa tournament alone, Prasanna stood second in Badalona Spain ahead of two Indian GMs and Padmini beat WIM Kruttika Nadig and drew with Olympiad team member WGM Mary Ann Gomes in the recently concluded National Junior in New Delhi," Salgaoncar stated.