Ethan Vaz becomes the eighth International Master from Goa
12-year-old Ethan Vaz became India's first International Master of 2024 on 3rd January. He drew against GM Valeriy Neverov (UKR) in the ninth and final round of Vezerkepzo GM Christmas 2023 in Budapest, to earn his final IM-norm. The talented kid from Goa also became the eighth IM from his state. Anurag Mhamal, Rohan Ahuja, Bhakti Kulkarni, Leon Luke Mendonca, Ameya Audi, Nitish Belurkar and Ritviz Parab are the first seven. Ethan earned his first IM-norm in August 2023 at 29th Abu Dhabi Masters in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Exactly three months later, he secured his second IM-norm at Vezerkepzo November GM in Budapest, Hungary. The final norm was scored in a little over a month later. The boy's quest for GM title continues as he started Vezerkepzo New Year GM 2024 with a victory over GM Baadur Jobava (GEO).
Three IM-norms in less than five months
India got its first IM in 2024 in the for mof Ethan Vaz. The 12-year-old is currently one of the youngest IMs. However, Abhimanyu Mishra (USA) still holds the record of world's youngest IM in history. Ethan won FTX Praggnanandhaa scholarship in 2022. Currently he is supported by HelpChess. Ethan gained 451 Elo rating points in eight months and scored three IM-norms in less than five months. These are certainly incredible feat. It is just a matter of time before this boy from Goa earns the coveted GM title.
First IM norm: 29th Abu Dhabi Masters 2023
Ethan Vaz scored his first IM-norm at 29th Abu Dhabi Masters in August 2023. He scored 4.5/9 including wins over IM Ajay Karthikeyan, IM Ravi Teja S, drew against GM Volodar Murzin and GM Swapnil Dhopade.
Ethan - Ravi Teja, Round 3
IM Ravi Teja S (2484) misplayed in the rook endgame 60...Kb5? 11-year-old Ethan seized his opportunity 61.Kd3 Ra4 62.Ke3 Kb6 63.Rd7? after a tiny inaccuracy allowing the defender to get back in the game, Ethan once again gained the decisive advantage and went on to beat his second IM of the event.
Second IM-norm: Vezerkepzo November GM 2023
Exactly three months later, Ethan Vaz scored his second IM-norm at Vezerkepzo November GM 2023. He scored 5.5/9, including wins over GM Lajos Seres (HUN). IM Srihari L R, IM James Morris (AUS), drew with GM Attila Czebe (HUN).
Ethan - Lajos, Round 3
White is already winning in the above position. Find out the finish which Ethan executed in the game.
Third IM-norm: Vezerkepzo GM Christmas 2023
Ethan secured his final IM-norm at Vezerkepzo GM Christmas 2023, a little over a month after he scored his second IM-norm. He made a blazing start by winning the first four games, before suffering his first loss of the event. The 12-year-old drew against GM David Berczes (HUN), GM Valeriy Neverov (UKR) and IM Sai Krishna G V. Sai went on to win the tournament and score his maiden GM-norm.
Ethan Vaz is currently trained by Prakash Vikram Singh and GM FT Swayams Mishra.
It has been more than 1.5 years working with Ethan. His talent was never in question, however he lacked exposure. Ethan's parents - Edwin & Linda always backed him despite all odds. I feel this is just the beginning for Ethan, the world will hear much more about him in the future.
I am happy to have had the opportunity to coach Ethan since 2017 when he was six years of age. Ethan is exceptionally talented, and he excelled very rapidly. Despite the lockdowns taking away more than two precious years of opportunities to play FIDE rated tournaments, Ethan shot up rapidly as soon as tournaments resumed in 2022. In less than two years, he's gone from 1384 to 2400+ Elo and achieved the three IM-norms. It's always a pleasure to work with him in our daily sessions. He is right now the youngest IM in the world, and, as his coach, I am very proud and ecstatic.
Ethan's Best Achievements
Ethan Vaz has won a lot of accolades in his chess career so far. Here are the best ones:
• Gold - Asian Youth Under-12 Open Classical and Blitz 2022
• Gold - Commonwealth Under-12 Open 2022
• Gold - Western Asian Youth Under-8 Open Rapid 2019
• Gold - Western Asia Youth Online Under-10 Boys 2021
• Silver - Western Asian Youth Under-8 Open Blitz 2019
• Silver - FIDE Youth Rapid Super Final Under-10 2021
• Bronze - Asian Youth Under-12 Open Rapid 2022
• Champion - Monginis Rapid Rating Open 2023
• Second Runner-up - 1st Unity Rapid Rating Open 2022
• Runner-up - 10th National Schools Under-11 Open 2022
• Runner-up - 9th National Schools Under-8 Open 2019
• Runner-up - AICF National Online Under-10 Open 2021
• Second Runner-up - 35th National Under-11 Open 2022
• Second Runner-up - 9th National Amateur Below 2000 in 2022
• Second Runner-up - 34th National Under-12 Open 2022
• Champion - Goa State Under-9 Open 2019 and 2020
• Champion - Goa State Under-12 Open 2022
• Champion - Goa State Under-15 Open 2022
• Runner-up - Goa State School Under-15 Open Rapid Rating 2022
• Runner-up - Goa State Under-14 Open 2022
Replay Ethan's games
Videos
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Ethan Vaz wins Monginis Rapid Rating Open 2023
@ 30/10/2023 by Shahid Ahmed (en) |
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Ethan Vaz gets the CCT Pragg Scholarship!
@ 12/02/2023 by Himank Ghosh (en) |