PANJIM: Candidate Master and Geno brand ambassador Leon Luke Mendonca was felicitated by the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar for winning gold at the recently concluded ‘World Schools Team Chess Championship’ at Sochi, Russia.
The Goan chess protégé was honoured in the presence of Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu and Curchorem MLA and Goa Chess Association President Nilesh Cabral in a function held at Taleigao Community hall, Taleigao, recently.
The newly elected GCA President Nilesh Cabral congratulated the young lad and said, “On behalf of the Goa Chess Association I would like to congratulate Leon for achieving this incredible feat and making our state proud by winning Gold at the international level,”
“We wish him all the best for the ‘Catalan Chess Circuit’. We hope that young Leon inspires more players in the state to take up chess,” concluded Nilesh Cabral.
Leon was also awarded an additional gold medal as board prize for remaining undefeated throughout the tournament.
“I am indeed very happy with gold medal and with my overall progress. I wish to thank the almighty for my talent, my dearest parents for their continued sacrifices and support, the coaches, the Goa Chess Association, friends and well wishers for their good wishes and blessings always,” said young Leon.
Leon’s teammates Gukesh D also remained undefeated while Pranav V and Rakshitta R lost two matches.
Armenia bagged the silver medal while hosts Russia settled for the bronze. Altogether 97 teams participated in the event.
Leon also participated at the ‘The Alekhine Memorial Grandmasters Open Chess Championship’ at Voronezh, Russia performing exceptionally well to increase his ELO Rating to a formidable 2222.
Leon will now head to Barcelona, Spain to participate in the prestigious ‘Catalan Chess Circuit’.
