Grandmaster Leon Luke Mendonca, who performed within the Challengers’ part of the second version of the Chennai Grandmasters classical chess event not too long ago, spoke in regards to the reputation of chess in Goa, his travels for coaching, how GM Vishnu Prasanna modified his taking part in strategy, his breakthrough title triumph on the prestigious Tata Metal Challengers (Wijk aan Zee) in January and his main takeaway from it, the inspirational gold-winning efficiency of the India males’s staff on the 2024 Olympiad, and his short-term purpose. Excerpts:
You’re solely the second chess Grandmaster from Goa, a State one wouldn’t usually affiliate with chess. So, how huge a sport is chess in Goa?
So, chess is just not too distinguished in Goa. I believe the primary time we just about heard about chess was when this woman Ivana Furtado received double golds or one thing on the planet youths (u-8 World Championship twice in a row). I’m undecided what number of years again, however fairly a very long time again (2006 and 2007). That was the primary time Goa just about heard of chess. However nonetheless, it was not an enormous factor. It nonetheless is just not very huge in Goa.
Coming from Goa, a spot with little or no affiliation with chess in any respect, how did you get into chess? When you can shortly share the journey you’ve had…
My journey was form of a bit completely different. My household by no means had a chess background. We by no means knew something about chess till my sister began taking part in. So, my elder sister first began taking part in. I believe she acquired a chess set or one thing for her birthday. And she or he began taking part in casually. Then slowly, she turned extra occupied with it. And my dad and mom enrolled her with one native academy. A pair was instructing chess to children. So, she began going to that academy. I additionally form of understood the foundations by then. And she or he would come again from the teachings and present me some issues she realized from there. So, that was how I first began.
And I favored to play. Like, I might normally simply sit and play a recreation for either side. That’s how I began taking part in at first. Then, my dad and mom realised that I used to be . So, additionally they enrolled me with the identical folks. And slowly, I even began taking part in some native tournaments in Goa.
So then, I began taking part in tournaments in India (outdoors Goa) as nicely. Quickly, I began taking part in some age class occasions outdoors India as nicely. After which, my first open event outdoors India was in 2016. It simply continued and by no means stopped.
Did you go wherever outdoors Goa for coaching?
They by no means actually did on-line coaching an excessive amount of. A minimum of, on-line wasn’t an actual factor again then. So, it was principally simply in-person coaching. And in addition, we most popular it that approach.
So, at first, I used to be coaching with varied coaches in Goa. The primary time I went outdoors Goa for coaching was with Akash Thakur sir in Nagpur. He had like an additional visitor room. So, he allowed us to remain there. He was a FIDE grasp and an excellent coach. He instilled in me some good coaching habits. He was top-of-the-line trainers I’ve had in my early progress. He principally instilled in me a number of good values and skilled me very nicely.
And in addition different coaches like Rajesh Bahadur from Madhya Pradesh. Shashikant Kutwal, who’s Akash Thakur’s good friend. He’s from Pune.
Then, my first extended coaching with any person was with R.B. Ramesh sir. Right here in Chennai (Chess Gurukul). I used to be rated 1600 or 1700 (Elo ranking) again then. I believe it was at first of 2015. And he would have these regular coaching periods for the folks in Chennai. So, we used to go particularly to Chennai only for these coaching periods. Generally, we might keep there for lengthy durations of time simply to get the coaching. And that, in fact, helped me tremendously and improved my stage lots. I used to be there till the start of 2018.
Then, I began coaching with Vishnu Prasanna sir. He’s mentoring me proper now. Simply giving me psychological recommendation. He’s my mentor and can be my mentor. He introduced me to a brand new stage and helped me perceive chess in a way more broader horizon.
When you is usually a bit extra particular as to what he did…
So, earlier than that, I used to be simply coaching chess, like, for outcomes. I skilled to get higher to get good outcomes. However he made me perceive chess from a philosophical standpoint – understanding the sport, finding out the sport, forgetting about outcomes and all that stuff. So, simply to check the sport, the character of the sport. That form of viewpoint he instilled in me.
At first, it was very complicated as a result of I’d by no means seen chess this manner. However slowly, I received used to it and it undoubtedly helped me perceive chess lots higher. And, in fact, chess-wise, he has skilled me fairly a bit and he introduced me from 2200 (Elo) to the place I’m proper now. Apart from that, I’ve additionally been with WACA (WestBridge Anand Chess Academy).
So, you’ve travelled fairly a bit for coaching. Out of your perspective, which place has a really sturdy chess tradition in India?
Undoubtedly, Chennai. It’s the chess capital of India and I really feel like I used to return to Chess Gurukul very often in these days. So, it simply felt like coming dwelling, truly.
In January this yr, you received the Tata Metal Challengers in Wijk aan Zee (The Netherlands). How was it taking part in in such a prestigious event?
Initially, I used to be very lucky to get an invite. I’m fairly certain Vishy (Viswanathan Anand) sir put in a very good phrase to the organiser. Taking part in that occasion was an awesome expertise, as a result of it’s referred to as the Wimbledon of chess. I needed to win the event, undoubtedly. However, in fact, I knew it was not going to be tremendous simple.
And it undoubtedly wasn’t. I used to be at all times within the second place, however by no means actually successful till I received the chance within the final spherical. So, it was fairly surprising. However primarily, I used to be simply specializing in taking part in my finest and simply giving my finest in each recreation. After which, the factor of end result solely got here on the finish – within the final spherical – as a result of I instantly had a very good probability.
Generally, it was simply an excellent expertise. I performed very sturdy gamers as nicely.
Would you say that it’s a serious breakthrough in your profession?
Sure, I believe so.
So, what’s the key takeaway from the event?
I imply I understood my type a bit extra as a result of I instantly began outplaying folks in chaotic conditions, which I didn’t know I may do earlier than. So, I solely found it throughout that event. And I received many video games within the second half of the event due to that.
I simply loved the expertise, and I’m completely happy that I’ve received the chance to play subsequent yr as nicely as a result of I received.
How are you wanting ahead to that?
It’s going to be my first tremendous event. I’m very excited. After this occasion right here in Chennai, I’ll be getting ready full-time for it. And I received’t play any extra open occasions.
You mentioned that you simply type of understood your type on the Tata Metal Challengers. So, how would you describe your type?
It’s onerous to grasp myself. Generally, I play nicely in sluggish conditions, and not too long ago, I’ve additionally been taking part in nicely in chaotic conditions. I imply I bear in mind in Tata Metal, I believe 5 video games out of 13, my King was roaming round like insanity. However one way or the other, I didn’t lose a single of these video games.
So, sure, since then I’ve found that I may do this. Additionally, in latest tournaments, I’ve performed some video games like that.
Would you say that you simply’ve turn out to be extra resilient?
I believe I’ve at all times been like that, however even in these conditions, it was extra obvious. Suppose it was only a useless loss, then I might create probabilities. I believe, sure, it introduced out that resilience in me.
Did you observe India males’s gold-medal successful efficiency on the 2024 Olympiad? How inspiring was it?
It’s very inspiring. As a result of, India had by no means received a gold, but it surely was fairly obvious that they have been the favourites. So, it simply exhibits the progress that Indian chess has made.
And I’m very completely happy to be part of this era of India taking up chess. I imply they made a dominating stance in Hungary. And sure, they performed very nicely – all of them.
Was there anybody or anybody’s play that was significantly spectacular? For example, we’ve had folks raving about Gukesh’s endgame versus China’s Wei Yi…
Sure, I believe that was one of many turning factors. Perhaps, the turning level for India taking the gold. That match towards China. It was a really tense recreation and within the final second, it turned difficult and Gukesh took over. So, that value China the match and introduced the victory to India.
However usually, I believe all of them did very well. Even Arjun simply saved successful video games. He’s so good at that. Simply retains successful. I believe all of them did nicely and performed nicely on the proper moments.
You’re from Goa, the place folks typically go to loosen up and have enjoyable, and have turn out to be a GM at 14! Are you an bold individual?
Truly, it’s true that Goa has received that repute. However my dad and mom are just about regular folks. My mom is a physician, and my father is an engineer. I grew up fairly usually and down to earth. In truth, I’m the final individual to go to a celebration.
Generally, I’m bold. I haven’t progressed so far as I believed I ought to have since I turned GM. However sure, my ambition hasn’t slowed down.
Do you could have any short-term purpose that you simply wish to obtain?
I wish to turn out to be 2700 (Elo) first. I imply I’ve been at 2600 for the final one-and-a-half years. So, I believe it’s lengthy sufficient and I ought to make the leap quickly.
Revealed – December 03, 2024 11:07 pm IST
