PANAJI
The father and son Mendonca duo were stranded in Europe in the pandemic outbreak in March. But their gamble on the chess board has paid off nearly nine months later as Leon Mendonca (14) has earned the honour of becoming Goa's second and India’s 67th chess Grandmaster.
Leon won in Italy the final norm at a tournament earlier this week after earning the first and second norms in October and November.
Leon finished second with 6.5 points behind the Ukranian winner at the Vergani Cup in Bassano del Grappa, Italy.
He and his dad Lyndon, stuck as they were in the pandemic in Europe in March, made do all these months living in Airbnb rooms. But the resilient duo saw a flicker of opportunity in their predicament and grabbed it.
He played several tournaments determined to achieve the GM and finally got it this week in Italy.
