Indian chess continues to reach new heights, and one more young star has now joined the
country’s growing list of grandmasters. At just 14 years old, Ethan Vaz from Goa has become
India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster. His achievement is much more than earning a title—it is a
story of patience, family support, financial struggles, and the determination to keep
improving step by step.
For every young chess player dreaming of becoming a champion, Ethan’s journey is proof
that success is possible with consistent effort and the right opportunities.
A Historic Achievement at Just 14:-
Ethan Vaz earned his Grandmaster title after securing his third and final GM norm at the
Chess Summer in Sarajevo – GM Mix tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Instead of
simply scoring enough points to complete the norm, Ethan went one step further—he won
the tournament ahead of several experienced grandmasters.
Winning such a strong event shows that he is already capable of competing with some of the
best players, not just collecting the results needed for a title.
Born on September 3, 2011, Ethan now has a live FIDE rating above 2520, which is an
outstanding achievement for someone so young. He also became Goa’s third Grandmaster,
following Anurag Mhamal and Leon Mendonça, while becoming the youngest GM from the
state.
Among the world’s youngest grandmasters, Ethan is currently one of the very best, with only
Argentine prodigy Faustino Oro being younger.
A Life Changed by an Unexpected Event:-
One of the most interesting parts of Ethan’s story begins long before he started playing
competitive chess. His parents were living in Japan when the devastating Fukushima nuclear
disaster happened in 2011 after a massive earthquake and tsunami. Like many families, they
decided to return to India. At that time, Ethan was only a baby.
Nobody could have imagined that this difficult decision would completely change his future.
If the family had stayed in Japan, Ethan may never have discovered his passion for chess in
the same way. Sometimes life changes our direction unexpectedly. A tragic global event
eventually led one young boy toward becoming one of India’s strongest chess players.
Success Doesn’t Happen Overnight:-
Many people only see the final achievement, but very few see the years of work behind it.
Ethan’s family faced financial challenges for a long time. International tournaments are
expensive because players have to pay for travel, accommodation, entry fees, coaching, and
many other costs. Because of this, Ethan mostly travelled abroad only when he represented
India in official youth championships like the Asian, Commonwealth, and World Youth
events. This meant he had fewer opportunities than many young international players to
face strong grandmasters in open tournaments.Despite these challenges, Ethan never
stopped improving.
His progress came step by step:
- 2023 – FIDE Master (FM)
- 2024 – International Master (IM)
- 2026 – Grandmaster (GM)
This steady improvement shows that becoming a Grandmaster is not about one lucky
tournament. It is the result of years of consistent training, learning from mistakes, and
performing well again and again.
The Final Push to Grandmaster:-
Every Grandmaster has a tournament that becomes part of their story.For Ethan, that
moment came in Bosnia and Herzegovina.He first earned a GM norm at the GM4 Festival
Saha Bijeljina in October 2025 after winning the tournament.Then came the biggest
achievement.At the Sarajevo GM Mix, Ethan scored 7 points out of 9 with a performance
rating above 2640. Those outstanding results helped him secure his final GM norm while
also crossing the required rating mark.Instead of barely reaching the finish line, Ethan
crossed it with confidence.
Winning a strong international tournament at just 14 years old shows that his future is
incredibly bright.
The Importance of Family Support:-
Behind almost every successful young chess player is a family making sacrifices. For Ethan,
his parents played a huge role throughout his journey. Chess may not look expensive from
the outside, but serious competitive chess requires constant investment. Traveling across
countries, hiring coaches, preparing for tournaments, and gaining international experience
all require significant financial support. There were times when Ethan’s family had to
carefully plan every tournament because resources were limited. The wider chess
community also helped through crowdfunding and financial support, allowing him to
participate in important events that helped his career grow. His story reminds us that talent
alone is rarely enough. Hard work, family encouragement, and support from the chess
community often make the biggest difference.
Another Proud Moment for Indian Chess:-
Indian chess has grown rapidly over the last few decades. Everything started when
Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988. Since then, India has become
one of the strongest chess nations in the world, producing grandmasters almost every year.
Young stars continue to inspire millions of players across the country, and Ethan Vaz has now
added another exciting chapter to this incredible journey. His achievement also proves that
world-class chess talent is not limited to big cities. Players from smaller states like Goa can
also reach the very top with dedication and the right opportunities.
What Makes Ethan Vaz Different?
Many young players become strong, but Ethan’s journey stands out for several reasons.
- First, he became a Grandmaster at just 14 years old, making him one of the youngest
GMs in the world. - Second, he earned his final norm by winning a very strong tournament instead of
only achieving the minimum required score. - Third, his improvement followed a clear path from FM to IM and finally GM over just
three years. - Finally, he reached this level despite having fewer international opportunities during
his early years because of financial limitations.
These achievements show not only his talent but also his discipline, patience, and ability to
perform under pressure.
Why School Chess Is Becoming More Important?
Stories like Ethan Vaz’s inspire thousands of children to start learning chess.But inspiration
alone is not enough.Young players also need regular competition, guidance from
experienced coaches, and opportunities to test their skills against players from different
schools and regions.
This is exactly why initiatives like the National School Chess League (NSCL) by CircleChess
are becoming increasingly valuable.
The National School Chess League provides school students with a structured platform to
compete, improve, and experience tournament chess in a healthy and encouraging
environment. Instead of playing only occasional events, students get regular competitive
exposure, helping them develop confidence, decision-making, and practical game
experience.
School leagues also encourage teamwork, sportsmanship, and consistency. Young players
learn how to prepare for games, manage pressure, analyze mistakes, and improve after
every round—qualities that every successful chess player, including Grandmasters, develops
over time.
For many children, events like the National School Chess League become the first step
toward bigger state, national, and international tournaments.The earlier students experience
competitive chess, the stronger their foundation becomes for future success.
Lessons Every Chess Player Can Learn:-
- Ethan Vaz’s journey offers valuable lessons for every young chess enthusiast.
- Success does not happen overnight. Every title is earned through years of practice
and continuous learning. - Financial difficulties or limited opportunities do not have to stop your progress if you
remain dedicated and keep improving. - Family support, good coaching, and help from the chess community can make a huge
difference during difficult times. - Most importantly, every tournament—whether you win or lose—is an opportunity to
become a stronger player. - Ethan Vaz becoming India’s 96th Grandmaster is more than just another milestone in
Indian chess. It is a reminder that extraordinary achievements often come from
ordinary people who refuse to give up. - From an unexpected family move after the Fukushima disaster to overcoming
financial challenges and finally winning a strong international tournament, Ethan’s
story is filled with determination and resilience.
As more young players discover chess through schools, academies, and competitions like the
National School Chess League by CircleChess, India will continue producing future
champions who dream of following the path of legends like Viswanathan Anand and rising
stars like Ethan Vaz.
For every young player sitting in front of a chessboard today, Ethan’s journey sends one
simple message: keep learning, keep playing, and never stop believing in your dreams. Every
great Grandmaster was once a beginner who chose to make the next move.