PANJIM: There are no boundaries for Goan talent. Be it in football, futsal, cricket, badminton etc. The State has contributed by producing finest talent to the Nation. There is a similar story with chess. Last year, Anurag became India’s 48th Grandmaster and Goa’s 1st at the age of 22. But there is no dearth of talent in this sport too. WGM Bhakti Kulkarni, who recently bagged International Masters title, is another player who have already made her mark.
However, there is a young boy Leon Luke Mendonca who earlier created history by scoring three International Master’s norm in a span of 17 days to become Goa’s youngest IM and possible could be Goa’s youngest GM.
Young Leon might have not had the best start in the ongoing 2nd Goa International Grandmaster Chess Tournament but the lad picked up pace in the later stage of the game which made him the top ranked (38) Goan player with six points in the tournament as the Round 9 concluded.
“I didn’t have a great start in the tournament but I picked up momentum slowly. I know this wasn’t my best start, but I am happy to get back on track,” said Leon Mendonca following his Round 9 win over Kushagra Mohan from Telangana.
Taking up the challenge to defeat his sister in chess, Leon took up the board at the age of 6 and then took it as a serious sport only at the age of 7.5 years. “At this age I began competing in various tournament across and slowly earned my ratings,” explained Leon.
“I never thought about any titles or norms. I just liked the game and I continued playing it but with my performance, I developed the aim of achieving the titles in the back of my mind,” said a humble Leon, who will play his final round game against India’s 61st GM Iniyan P on the ultimate day.
India’s youngest and world’s second youngest GM Gukesh D, who achieved his GM title at the age of 12 years 7 months and 17 days, rated Leon as a top player and considered Goa could soon have their second GM.
“Goa has a good talent in this sport. Though it took long for Goa to have their first GM (Anurag Mhamal), I believe it wouldn’t be a surprise to see another GM soon. Leon Mendonca will surely be the next GM,” added the 60th GM of India.
Gukesh, who is a good friend of Leon, who is also participating the 2nd Goa International GM tournament, further stated, “Leon is already Goa’s youngest IM and if he continues to perform well then surely in another year or two, Goa could have their second GM,” concluded the Tamil Nadu teenager.
However, Leon was humble enough to take the praises and said, “If I prove that fast then maybe I can achieve the GM title sooner. I had a late blooming in this tournament and there is always a different pressure playing at home (Goa),” explained Leon, who also likes other sports such as football and table tennis, but the sport he loves is chess.
“There is nothing much I could take from this tournament besides the experience. We haven’t planned our next tournaments. We shall do it once this event is over.” concluded Leon.
