Goa’s Ethan Vaz becomes India’s 96th Grandmaster

By  News On Air   Jun 28, 2026

Goa’s 14-year-old International Master Ethan Vaz has become India’s 96th Chess Grandmaster after securing his third and final Grandmaster norm at the Sarajevo GM Mix tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ethan won the tournament with finishing ahead of ten Grandmasters. With the achievement, Ethan becomes the third Grandmaster from Goa after Anurag Mhamal and Leon Mendonca. 

Born on September 3, 2011, he currently has a live FIDE rating of 2522. Ethan earned his first Grandmaster norm at the GM4 Festival Saha Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina in October 2025, where he went on to win the tournament.

His second norm came at the GM Mix 11 Fantastico tournament in Serbia in January this year after a final-round victory secured both the title and the norm. 

The young Goan has also recorded several notable performances this year. He won three medals, including two gold medals in the Rapid and Blitz events, at the Commonwealth Chess Championship.

Earlier this month, he remained unbeaten at the 4th Gujarat International Open, finishing ahead of 18 of the 19 Grandmasters in the field.

He also qualified for the 2026 World and Asian Youth Chess Championships after winning silver at the National Under-17 Championship.

Ethan’s latest achievement adds another milestone to Goa’s growing presence in Indian chess.