AGENCIES, NEW DELHI: Double delight for Goa as Ethan Vaz and Diya Digamber Sawal, won individual gold medals for India at the Rapid Chess Championship, in the Under-8 Open and Under-6 girls categories respectively at the Western Asia Youth and Junior Chess Championships currently underway in Delhi.
Ethan Vaz remained unbeaten and topped the U-8 category scoring 6.5 points of possible seven. Ethan, a third-standard student of The King’s School, Sao Jose de Areal, defeated Aaryaveer Agarwal, Nair Sreevaishnav, Yuvanesh A, Rosh Jain, Ishan Singh and Prakhar Tripathi and drew with Alybakov.
Ethan was closely followed by Rosh Jain who finished half a point behind with 6.0/7 points. Aaryaveer Agrawal and Nimay Agrawal finished third and fourth respectively with 5.0/7 each.
Meanwhile, Diya Sawal, a first standard student of Manovikas English Medium High School, Gogol, Margao, remained undefeated and recorded all wins to collect maximum points in her pursuit in clinching the gold. This is Diya’s maiden participation in international event.
Diya Digamber Sawal emerged as the sole victor scoring an astounding 7.0/7 points and finishing a full point ahead of the field. Rammadugu Geethika Sri and Srijita Das finished second and third with 6.0/7 and 5.0/7 respectively.
She defeated Saanvi Aggarwal, Sharabidinova Aliia, Rammadugu Geethika, Srijita Das, Khayalvizhi Kamesh, Yati Agarwal and Pal Vedika.
Both Ethan and Diya are students of Chess Guru Goa Academy.
Speaking after victory, Ethan said, “I would like to thank God, The King’s School’s Director Ligia and Chairman Melvin along with all my teachers, my chess coach Prakash Vikram Singh, my parents, and all my well-wishers, for their tremendous love and support all along.”
“We are proud of the Ethan and Diya. Both the players have remained undefeated in their pursuit in clinching the gold and its very important for us. We congratulate the players and their parents and coaches. This is just the beginning and I am sure these players will make us proud,” said Goa Chess Association Secretary Kishor Bandekar.
India bagged 15 out of the 16 gold medals at stake to commence the event with a dominating statement.
