THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Another Goan talent wins on the international stage. Chess prodigy Ethan Vaz of Goa has clinched the Gold Medal for India at the Commonwealth Chess Championships 2022, in the Under-12 Open category. The championships were organised in Sri Lanka. Ethan represented India at the Commonwealth Chess Championships 2022, Sri Lanka, in the Under-12 as well as Under-20 (Junior) Categories.
11 year old Ethan was eligible to represent India at these Championships in 2022 (World, Asian, Commonwealth, etc.), in U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-20 categories, as he had finished in the Top 50 in each of those respective National Chess Championships.
Speaking to the Herald enroute to Colombo, Edwin Vaz the father of Ethan Vaz said Ethan expressed his thanks to his sponsors Geno Foundation, The King's School, and everyone who has contributed towards his crowdfunding campaign through his website (www.ethanvaz.com). Ethan said “ I am thrilled to win the Commonwealth Gold Medal for India, and I will continue to give my best at every opportunity I get." He said he remembered the time when he had to limit his participation at overseas events owing to financial constraints.
Edwin said Ethan practised about 4 to 5 hours daily on average. His favourite players were GM Vishwanathan Anand who was his all-time favourite with IM/WGM Bhakti Kulkarni his favourite chess player.
Ethan was the youngest player in the Indian contingent to play in the Under-20 (Junior) Commonwealth Championship.
In the Under-12 Open Championship, Ethan remained undefeated and scored 8 point in 9 rounds, with 7 wins and 2 draws.
