Bangalore's Chitra Magimairaj, the reigning 9-ball pool National champion, will leave for Taipei on Monday to play the World Championship qualifiers from March 30 to April 1. The main draw will be played from April 3 to 6.

The two-time World billiards champion tried her hand at qualifying for the Worlds two years ago in Taipei, but only made the third round of the qualifiers. Chitra is the lone Indian in the qualifiers this year. One player will make the main draw on each of the three qualifying da-ys. Chitra feels she is better prepared now than in 2006.

"I've learnt so many new things," Chitra observed. "I've impr-oved my jump shots, safety and breaking.

"I'm very confident this time. I feel I can qualify. I've booked my return ticket only for April 6. I've been practising almost 80 racks a day," said Chitra, quarterfinalist in the same discipline at the Asian Indoor Games in Macau last year. "I'll try my best.”