<p>Young Indian International Master Leon Luke Mendonca earned his maiden Grandmaster norm after winning the title in Rigochess International Festival tournament in Hungary.</p>.<p>The 14-year old Mendonca won six games, drew two and lost one to emerge winner in the 10-player field which included three GMs and was played over the board. He secured seven points from nine rounds in the tournament.</p>.<p>The Goa-based player (Elo 2499) won his opening round match against fellow IM William Paschall before going down to lower-rated Alex Krstulovic (Elo 2341). He drew his third round match and then won five games on the trot, beating two GMs -- Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy and David Bercez -- on the way.</p>.<p>In the ninth and final round, Mendonca settled for a draw with Hungarian GM Adam Kozak to finish half a point ahead of the field and secure the top prize.</p>.<p>The over-the-board tournament was conducted by adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.</p>.<p>Mendonca said he was happy to win the tournament and earn a GM norm after a few near misses.</p>.<p>"I am very happy to win the event and also gain my first GM norm after missing out on earlier occasions narrowly," he told PTI.</p>.<p>He rated the performance in the last round match against Kozak, wherein he secured a draw after nearly five and half hours of play, as his best in the tournament. </p>
<p>Young Indian International Master Leon Luke Mendonca earned his maiden Grandmaster norm after winning the title in Rigochess International Festival tournament in Hungary.</p>.<p>The 14-year old Mendonca won six games, drew two and lost one to emerge winner in the 10-player field which included three GMs and was played over the board. He secured seven points from nine rounds in the tournament.</p>.<p>The Goa-based player (Elo 2499) won his opening round match against fellow IM William Paschall before going down to lower-rated Alex Krstulovic (Elo 2341). He drew his third round match and then won five games on the trot, beating two GMs -- Nguyen Huynh Minh Huy and David Bercez -- on the way.</p>.<p>In the ninth and final round, Mendonca settled for a draw with Hungarian GM Adam Kozak to finish half a point ahead of the field and secure the top prize.</p>.<p>The over-the-board tournament was conducted by adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols.</p>.<p>Mendonca said he was happy to win the tournament and earn a GM norm after a few near misses.</p>.<p>"I am very happy to win the event and also gain my first GM norm after missing out on earlier occasions narrowly," he told PTI.</p>.<p>He rated the performance in the last round match against Kozak, wherein he secured a draw after nearly five and half hours of play, as his best in the tournament. </p>