MARGAO
Goa's newest chess sensation, Ethan Vaz, received a hero's welcome on Friday night after returning from a successful month-long tour of Bosnia and Serbia, where the 14-year-old fulfilled all the requirements to earn the coveted Grandmaster title, becoming India's youngest active Grandmaster and the world's second-youngest active Grandmaster. He capped off the memorable tour with a podium finish at the Serbia Open 2026 Masters.
Accompanied by his father, Edwin Vaz, Ethan was greeted at Dabolim Airport by a large gathering of family, friends, chess officials, teachers, students and well-wishers celebrating one of the biggest milestones in Goan sporting history.
The King's School led the celebrations with Director Ligia Pereira, Chairman Melvin Pereira, Headmaster Wilson Varghese, teachers and staff welcoming their star student with the school flag, a giant trophy and a special banner chronicling Ethan's journey from his nursery days to becoming a Grandmaster.
The reception was also attended by Goa Chess Association president Mahesh Candolkar, secretary Ashesh Keni, vice-presidents Arvind Mhamal, Satyavan Harmalkar, Sagar Sakordekar and Damodar Zambaulikar, representatives of various taluka chess associations, officials from the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Sports Authority of Goa, former IAS officer Adv. Elvis Gomes, social worker Engg. Roque Mascarenhas, Ethan's first coach Prakash Vikram Singh, along with his mother Linda Fernandes.
Congratulating Ethan, Candolkar assured the youngster of the Goa Chess Association's continued support and expressed hope that the Government of Goa would also extend greater assistance. Keni hailed Ethan's completion of all Grandmaster norms and his podium finish in Serbia as an exceptional achievement.
Reflecting on Ethan's early years, his first coach Prakash Vikram Singh said the youngster had dreamt of becoming the world's youngest Grandmaster since childhood and believed the COVID-19 pandemic had interrupted two crucial years of his development.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Edwin Vaz thanked Ethan's coaches GM Swayams Mishra, GM Srinath Narayanan and Prakash Vikram Singh, along with sponsors including The King's School, Geno Pharmaceuticals, HelpChess Foundation, ChessBase India, Group e4 and Chola Chess, besides numerous donors and well-wishers.
"Ethan's success is not just our family's success. It belongs to every individual who believed in him, supported him and became part of this journey. We are deeply grateful to everyone," Edwin said.
An emotional Ethan thanked everyone who had gathered to celebrate his achievement.
"I am feeling great that I have become a Grandmaster. It has been my childhood dream ever since I started playing chess, and I am very grateful to everyone who has supported me and come here to celebrate this achievement. Thank you!" Ethan said.
