PANAJI: AIM Ethan Vaz from Goa tasted success at the Under-11 Open category Asian Schools Chess Championships 2021, as India clinched team Gold medal in the online event organised by National Chess Federation of Philippines (NCFP) under the auspices of the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), from July 29 to 31, according to a press note.
India A team comprising of Aakash G of Tamil Nadu, Krishna Goutham of Kerala, Mrinmoy Rajkhowa of Assam and Ethan Vaz got the better of teams India B and Iran A in a close contest, to get the top prize.
Expressing joy on Ethan’s achievement, Nilesh Cabral, Power Minister & Goa Chess Association president, said: “We congratulate Ethan on his consistent performance, winning this Team Gold Medal for India and making Goa proud once again. It’s a great moment for Goan chess, and we are proud of his streak of accomplishments at national and international level!”
State chess association secretary, Kishor Bandekar emphasised on Ethan’s consistency at the grand stage, saying: “This is Ethan’s third international medal for India. Earlier he had won the individual gold medal in rapid chess and individual silver medal in blitz chess at the Western Asia Chess Championships, 2019.”
Ethan is a student of Class 5 at The King’s School, Sao Jose de Areal, and is being coached by Prakash Vikram Singh of Chess Guru Goa Academy, Margao.