Ethan Vaz wins Monginis Rapid Rating Open 2023

by Shahid Ahmed - 30/10/2023

FM Ethan Vaz and IM Sammed Shete scored 8/9 each at Monginis Rapid Rating Open 2023. Ethan won the tournament due to better tie-breaks, Sammed was placed second. IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni and IM Bhakti Kulkarni scored 7.5/9 each. They secured third and fourth place respectively. Ethan defeated both of them. Only Sammed remained undefeated among the top ten finishers. The total prize fund of the tournament was ₹200000. The top three prizes were ₹35000, ₹25000 and ₹15000 along with a trophy each respectively. This is Ethan's first-ever Open Rating tournament triumph. Ethan was supposed to play World Cadets Under-12 Open 2023 in Egypt. However, he had to change his plans as the Indian contingent pulled out of the event, due to security concerns over the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.

Ethan's first Open Rating tournament triumph

IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni and IM Sammed Shete were the coleaders 7.5/8 heading into the final round. Vikramaditya lost to FM Ethan Vaz and FM Jeet Jain held Sammed to a draw. Thus, Ethaan became champion, Sammed second and Vikramaditya third. Former Asian Continental Women's champion, IM Bhakti Kulkarni secured fourth place after defeating her state Goa's latest IM - Ritviz Parab.

Champion - FM Ethan Vaz 8/9

Runner-up - IM Sammed Shete 8/9 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Second Runner-up - IM Vikramaditya Kulkarni 7.5/9 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

4th IM Bhakti Kulkarni 7.5/9 | Photo: Kolhapur Chess Association

FM Ethan Vaz scored 8/9, defeated two IMs - Bhakti Kulkarni and Vikramaditya Kulkarni, alsp gained 38 Elo rating points

Lighting of the lamp at the inauguration ceremony | Photo: Margao Cricket Club

Inaugural first move | Photo: Margao Cricket Club

The tournament hall at Krishna V S Karwarkar Hall, MCC Club in Margao, Goa | Photo: Margao Cricket Club

A total of 170 players including four IMs took part from various places all over the country in this two-day nine round Rapid Rating Open tournament. It was organized by Salcete Taluka Chess Association, Margao Cricket Club, Margao and Rotary Club of Margao at Krishna V S Karwarkar Hall, MCC Club in Margao, Goa on 14th and 15th October 2023. The time control of the event was 25 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move.

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	Typ	sex	Gr	FED	Rtg	Club/City	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4	TB5
1	5	FM	Vaz Ethan	U13		Goa_U13	IND	2147	Goa_Salcete	8	55	58	50,00	0	8
2	2	IM	Sammed Jaykumar Shete				IND	2269	Maharashtra	8	54,5	59,5	52,25	0	7
3	3	IM	Kulkarni Vikramaditya				IND	2175	Maharastra	7,5	53,5	56,5	44,50	0	7
4	1	IM	Kulkarni Bhakti	S15	w		IND	2282	Goa_Salcete	7,5	48,5	51,5	40,00	0	7
5	9		Devesh Anand Naik				IND	1725	Goa_Ponda	7	52,5	56,5	41,00	0	7
6	13		Kherdekar Arnav				IND	1575	Maharastra	7	50,5	54,5	38,50	0	7
7	15		Vivaan Sunil Ballikar	U15		Goa_U15	IND	1538	Goa_Salcete	7	50	55	40,50	0	7
8	6	FM	Jeet Jain				IND	2108	Gujarat	7	49,5	53,5	39,25	0	6
9	18		Aryan Shamrao Raikar				IND	1445	Goa_Salcete	7	46,5	48	34,50	0	7
10	16		Shirodkar Aayush				IND	1519	Goa_Salcete	7	46	49	35,00	0	7
11	38		Tejas R Shet Verenkar				IND	1220	Goa_Salcete	7	43,5	45,5	33,00	0	7
12	7	CM	Niraj Saripalli				IND	1970	Goa_Salcete	6,5	52	56	38,25	0	6
13	4	FM	Ritviz Parab				IND	2174	Goa_Salcete	6,5	50,5	54	36,25	0	6
14	23		Anish Naik				IND	1388	Goa_Ponda	6,5	50	54	35,75	0	6
15	8		Colaco Reuben				IND	1835	Goa_Salcete	6,5	46	49	33,75	0	6