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Bombay girl is queen again

British under 8 girls' chess champion Ketaki Kulkarni added one more title to her booty by winning the British Under 9 girls' championship at Hove.

Bombay schoolboy Varun Dattani stood runners up in the British Under 9 boys' championship at the same venue.

Ketaki (4 points) would have won the title on her had she not blundered her seventh and last game. This unfortunate loss allowed Katheryn Barnes of England to catch up with Ketaki. Both Katheryn and Ketaki are declared joint winners.

Seven year old Varun Dattani (5.5) finished runner up to Jonathan Zubaida (6) of England after letting the champion escape with a draw in the seventh and last round. Varun, who had missed a win and thus the chance to become British Under-8 champion two days back by losing the last round, thus improved his performance in the higher age group. Varun conceded three draws to remain unbeaten in the championship.

Varun is accompanied by his parents Paresh and Beena Dattani. A student of Cathedral School in Bandra, Bombay, he is coached by former India national B player Parag Varde. Varun's mother Beena had mixed feelings about Varun's performance. Had he won his last round games, Varun would have won both the categories, like Ketaki, she remarked. "However I am not complaining," she added. "Little Varun was tired after finishing the championship."

Both Ketaki and Varun are planning to compete in the British Under-10 championship as well, before returning home. Ketaki is in high spirits, but her mother Radhika was worried about the stress and strain to her daughter while playing in the higher age group.

UNI

Earlier Story:
Bombay girl takes British title