Goa’s 14-year-old Leon Mendonca turns into India’s 67th Grandmaster

Goa’s 14-year-old Leon Mendonca has turn into India’s 67th chess Grandmaster by successful the third and ultimate norm at a event in Italy.
Mendonca, who achieved the feat at 14 years, 9 months and 17 days, is the second GM from the coastal state.
The participant achieved his first GM norm on the Rigo Chess GM Round Robin in October whereas the second got here on the 1st Saturday occasion in Budapest in November and the ultimate one on the Vergani Cup in Italy.
At the Vergani Cup in Bassano del Grappa, he completed second with 6.5 factors behind Ukraine’s Vitaliy Bernadskiy (7 pts).
Mendonca and his father Lyndon had been stranded in Europe in March within the wake of the coronavirus-enforced lockdown and journey restrictions.
They noticed a chance in it and took half in a number of tournaments with an goal of reaching the GM title. In the 9 months from March to December, Mendonca performed in 16 tournaments and, from an ELO score of 2452 factors, improved to 2544.
Mendonca mentioned he was delighted to turn into a GM and thanked those that supported him by means of thick and skinny.
“Yeah.. I am delighted to become a GM. It has come after a lot of hard work. I can’t thank several people including my parents, coach Vishu Prasanna and sponsors for the success,” he mentioned.
The Goa teen had taken half in a camp organised by Microsense in Chennai late in 2019 when former world champions Vladimir Kramnik and Boris Gelfand skilled quite a few Indian gamers.
After the second GM norm was achieved, his father had mentioned, “It has been difficult to remain in Europe and for him to compete in occasions. We have been staying in Airbnb rooms.
“Also, it has been difficult to plan for tournaments due to uncertainty. But it has been a rewarding one though.”
Chennai participant G Akash, had in July, turn into the nation’s 66th Grandmaster.