new Delhi: 14 year old Leon Mendonca has become the 67th Grandmaster of India. Mendoca was stranded in Europe since March due to Kovid. He played 16 tournaments in three months, this increased his ilo renting to 140 points.
Considering this, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) gave him the title of Grandmaster. Leon Mendonca is the second player to become Grandmaster this year. G. before them Akash got this title.
Leon Mendonca becomes India’s 67th GM at the age of 14 years 9 months and 17 days! In the last 9 months of lockdown, Leon has played 16 events in Europe and has reached a live rating of 2544, also scoring his 3 GM criteria!
Read his inspiring story: https://t.co/J9QWU91mPF pic.twitter.com/kGmM4Yng84
– ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) December 31, 2020
He got his first GM Norm in October at the Rigo Chess GM’s Round Robin and the second in Budapest in November. His last GM was found in the Vergani Cup in Italy on 30 December.
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Leon (Mendonca) while talking to Chasebase.in said, ‘Many people have contributed to get me here. I thank you wholeheartedly. Thank God, parents, sister for blessings’.
Congrats Leon for becoming the 67 th Grandmaster. An inspiration for aspiring grandmasters. I am so proud of your commitment and focus. Just amazing how your family and yourself stayed behind in Europe during the pandemic chasing the GM title! Enjoy the achievement!
– Viswanathan Anand (@ vishy64theking) December 31, 2020
At the same time, veteran player Vishwanathan Anand has congratulated Mendonka. He said, ‘Congratulations to Leon on becoming the 67th Grandmaster of the country. You are an inspiration to those who dream of becoming a grandmaster. I am proud of your commitment and concentration. Your family and you are proud of the way you stayed in Europe during the epidemic to achieve GM Norm. Enjoy this achievement ‘.
Mendonka’s coach Vishnu Prasanna told PTI-language, “He had come close to getting the ratings several times and he has got the required rating points. The feat was not surprising, but he was still under pressure. “Mendonca will play in another competition in Italy before returning to India”.
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