Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Inaugurates Goa Chess Academy, Plays Chess with GM Ethan Vaz in Campal Panaji

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant Inaugurates Goa Chess Academy, Plays Chess with GM Ethan Vaz

Campal, Panaji – In a significant boost for chess in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant inaugurated the Goa Chess Academy at the Manohar Parrikar Indoor Stadium on Thursday. The event marked a pivotal moment in the state’s commitment to nurturing young chess talent and enhancing its presence in national and international competitions.

During the inauguration, Sawant engaged in a friendly game of chess with Grandmaster Ethan Vaz, one of Goa’s three grandmasters, showcasing the spirit of the game and the academy’s mission. “We hosted the Chess World Cup, and now we have a chess academy of our own,” Sawant remarked. “This academy will provide a higher level of coaching. Our Goan players are doing very well internationally. It’s time to move to the next level.”

The Goa Chess Academy is set to become a cornerstone for training, talent identification, and coaching camps, aiming to inspire a new generation of chess players. The Chief Minister announced plans to expand the academy’s reach by introducing taluka-level classes, ensuring that talent from rural areas receives proper training and support.

Goa boasts a rich chess heritage, with records indicating that chess tournaments were held even before the state’s liberation from Portuguese rule. The formal establishment of the All Goa Daman and Diu Chess Association in 1973 marked the beginning of organized chess in the region. The sport gained momentum in the early 2000s, thanks to prodigious talents like Ivana Furtado and Bhakti Kulkarni, who set high standards for young players.

In recognition of his achievements, GM Ethan Vaz was honored with a ₹5 lakh cash award during the event. Additionally, the Goa Chess Association received ₹20 lakh in government support for the upcoming Manohar Parrikar chess tournament, further solidifying the state’s commitment to the sport.

With three grandmasters—Anurag Mhamal, Leon Mendonca, and Ethan Vaz—alongside International Master Bhakti Kulkarni, Goa is poised to make a significant mark on the global chess stage. The establishment of the Goa Chess Academy is a testament to the state’s dedication to fostering chess talent and promoting the game among its youth.

As the pieces moved on the chessboard during the friendly match between Sawant and Vaz, the future of chess in Goa seemed brighter than ever, promising a new era of excellence and achievement in this timeless game.