Tag: Goa Chess

Sports

Saras Summer Powar Wins Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial Chess 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

The Late Lt Cdr Gopal Sukhtankar Memorial Open Rapid FIDE Rating Chess Tournament 2026 concluded on a high note in Panaji, showcasing some of the finest chess talent from across the region. Organised by the Mustifund Parents Teacher Association, the tournament marked its 14th edition, continuing its legacy of promoting competitive chess in Goa.

    Saras Summer Powar emerged as the champion after an intense competition, finishing with an impressive score of 8 points. In a closely contested battle, Joshua Telles matched the same score but had to settle for the runner-up position due to a marginally lower tie-break score. Aryavrat Naik Desai secured third place with a commendable 7.5 points, rounding off the top three.

    The tournament saw strong participation across categories, with several players delivering notable performances. From fourth to twentieth place, competitors including Abhishek Patil, Atharva Katkar, Rishikesh Parab, Maxwell Raposo, and others demonstrated high levels of skill and determination throughout the event.

    Young talents also took centre stage in the category prizes across various age groups, highlighting the depth of emerging chess players in Goa. Winners from U7 to U15 categories, including Shrivalli Gandhi, Lyia Silveira, Anvi Desai, and many more, showcased exceptional promise and competitive spirit.

    Special recognitions added further significance to the event, with Gaonkar Aayansh being honoured as the youngest player, while Elis Barreto and Kiran Chopdekar were recognised among veteran participants. Mushtifund players also received appreciation for their efforts and performances.

    The prize distribution ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Chief Guest Sushant Redkar and Goa Chess Association President Mahesh Candolkar, along with key members of the organising committee and arbiters.

    With another successful edition completed, the tournament once again reinforced Goa’s growing presence in the chess circuit, fostering talent and encouraging young players to pursue excellence in the sport.

    Sports

    Goa’s IM Ethan Vaz Creates History with Gold at National Junior U-19 Chess Championship

    allycaralgoa

    Goa’s young chess prodigy IM Ethan Vaz has created history by becoming the first Goan to clinch the gold medal at the National Junior Under-19 Chess Championship (Open). The prestigious tournament was held in Jamshedpur from December 16 to 24, 2025, and witnessed some of the country’s finest young chess talents in action.

    At just 14 years of age, Ethan delivered a sensational performance, scoring an astounding 10.5 points out of a possible 11 rounds. His commanding display saw him finish a remarkable 1.5 points clear of the rest of the field, underlining his dominance throughout the championship.

    Ethan’s triumph is being hailed as a landmark achievement for Goan chess, showcasing the State’s growing presence on the national chess map. His composure, tactical sharpness, and consistency against top-rated opponents reflected maturity well beyond his years.

    The historic gold medal not only adds a major national title to Ethan Vaz’s growing list of achievements but also serves as an inspiration for young chess players across Goa and India. With this victory, Ethan has firmly established himself as one of the brightest prospects in Indian chess.

    Sports

    One Step to Go: Nitish Belurkar Inches Closer to Grandmaster Title

    Tanisha Cardozo

    Written by Tanisha Cardozo

    Goa’s rising chess talent Nitish Belurkar has achieved his second Grandmaster (GM) norm at the 5th International Festival of La Plagne Soleil Masters held in France — marking a major milestone in his journey to becoming a GM.

    🎯 What’s the big achievement?

    Nitish scored an unbeaten 7 points in 9 rounds, finishing third in a competitive field of 171 players from 23 countries, and earned a performance rating of 2624. With this, he not only secured his second GM norm but also gained 19 Elo points, bringing his live rating to 2472.

    Now, he’s just one norm and 28 Elo points away from achieving the title of Grandmaster — the highest honour in the world of chess.

    👏 Highlights of the Tournament

    • ✅ Win over top seed GM Jules Moussard (2591)
    • ✅ Held strong draws with GMs Iniyan Pa, Christian Bauer, Yuri Solodovnichenko, and Joseph Girrel
    • ✅ Wins against Van Volsem Merlijn, FM Hald Falkesggard Jeppe, Damien Riberie, and FM Fantin Ludwig
    • ✅ Third-place finish, behind champion GM Yuri Solodovnichenko (7.5 points)

    This performance follows Nitish’s first GM norm, which he had achieved earlier at the Vezerkepzo GM tournament in Hungary.

    💬 A Goan Star in the Making

    Nitish Belurkar’s success story is not just about individual brilliance — it reflects the growing strength of Indian and Goan chess on the global stage. His composure, consistency, and tenacity have made him one of the most watched young players in the country.

    As the chess world turns its attention to his next tournaments, Nitish carries with him the hopes of becoming Goa’s next Grandmaster.

    Sports

    Goa’s Evan Telles Crowned National U-7 Chess Champion

    allycaralgoa

    7-year-old prodigy makes history, earns spot to represent India at the World U-7 Chess Championship

    MARGAO / KHORDHA, June 2025 — In a stunning feat of strategy and composure beyond his years, Evan Telles, a 7-year-old from Goa, has emerged as the National U-7 Open Chess Champion at the 38th National U-7 Chess Championship held at KT Global School, Barunei Temple Road, Khordha, Odisha.

    Representing the Salcete Taluka Chess Association, Evan secured a phenomenal 8.5 points out of 9 rounds, defeating several top-seeded players, including a crucial win over tournament favorite Thumati Sreyansh in the eighth round. He capped his championship run with a final-round victory against Vaibhav Vishnu of Bihar, clinching gold outright.

    Evan, a Grade 2 student at Manovikas School, Margao, has now earned the honor of representing India at the upcoming World U-7 Chess Championship, making him one of the youngest Goans to compete on the world stage in recent memory.

    “Evan is a chess prodigy and we are confident he will rise to even greater heights,” said Ashesh Keni, Secretary of the Goa Chess Association. “After analyzing his games in the State Championship, we knew he had the potential to become a national champion.”

    Goa Chess Association President Mahesh Candolkar hailed Evan’s victory as a proud moment for the state, especially after Goa clinched the silver in the same event last year. The win places Goa ahead of traditional chess powerhouses like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in this category.

    Evan is the son of Dr. Jean Telles and has been training under Coach Prakash Singh and his team at Chess Guru Chess Academy. His disciplined preparation, combined with strong parental and institutional support, has been instrumental in his development.

    Members of the Goa Chess Association Executive Committee and the Salcete Taluka Chess Association expressed collective joy at the win, calling it a “golden moment” for Goan chess.

    In the Girls U-7 category, Aradhya Desai of Goa gave a commendable performance, securing the 16th place among tough national competition—an encouraging result that signals more talent on the rise from the state.

    With this national title under his belt, Evan Telles now sets his sights on the World U-7 Chess Championship later this year, where he will carry not just the hopes of Goa, but of the entire nation.

    “This is just the beginning,” said his coach. “The world stage awaits.”