PANAJI: Goan chess prodigy Ethan Vaz has qualified for FIDE Online Rapid World Cup 2021 (Cadets & Youth, Under 10 Open), according to a press communique by Goa Chess Association. The 9-year recently scored a podium finish at the Under-10 Open National Chess Championship 2021 to make it to the global showpiece event.
Ethan secured an impressive 10.5 points in 11 rounds while remaining undefeated in the tournament, but the prestigious title of National Champion eluded him by a whisker. He was tied for the top position, but had to settle for the silver medal as Reyan Md was declared champion owing to a slightly better tie-break score (Buchholz Cut 1 of 83.5 vs. 82.5). A total of 929 players from all over India had participated in the tournament, further stated the press note.
By virtue of the podium finish, Ethan has been selected to represent India at the World Cup 2021 (FIDE Online Rapid World Cup 2021, Cadets & Youth, Under 10 Open) scheduled to be held in August.
AIM Ethan Vaz, who has won Goa State Chess Championship thrice in a row, hails from Raia and is a Class 5 student at The King’s School, Sao Jose de Areal. He is being coached by Prakash Singh of Chess Guru Goa Academy, Margao.
Goa Chess Association president Nilesh Cabral was delighted with Ethan’s performance. “It is a great moment for Goan chess to have a Goan player emerge ahead of over 900 of India’s best players, and we congratulate Ethan on winning this honour for Goa,” said the Power Minister.
Secretary, Kishor Bandekar said: “All of us at GCA are proud of Ethan and his stellar performance. He has earlier won gold and silver medals for India at the Western Asia Chess Championships 2019, and we look forward to him winning laurels for India at the FIDE World Cup 2021 for Cadets & Youth too.”
