Mangaluru: Seven-year-old Aaron Reeve Mendes, a student of city-based Mount Carmel Central School, is the second runner-up in the under-8 open category at the North American Youth Chess Championship (NAYCC) held recently in Kingston, Canada.
Aaron has been receiving professional chess training from Derik’s Chess School for the past two years. His chess coach, Prasanna Rao told reporters here on Friday, August 30, that Aaron’s uncle resides in Canada and that he received an opportunity to participate and represent Canada in the NAYCC.
Apart from this achievement, Aaron was the first runner-up at the Ontario Youth Chess Championship (OYCC) held in May 2019 in Kitchener, Canada. He tied for third place in the national level U8 CYCC held in July 2019 in Saskatchewan, Canada. The highly recognized international chess championship also entitles the top three players to be eligible for the prestigious title of Candidate Master (CM) bestowed by FIDE, he informed.
Amazing talent, personal dedication, hard work and support of his parents and teachers have contributed to his achievement, the coach added.
Aaron’s father, Arun thanked principal Sr Mellisa, teacher Sr Lydwyn and the entire teaching faculty at Mount Carmel Central School for their support. “Their continuous encouragement, motivation and guidance allowed my son Aaron to concentrate on his game and academics,” he said.
Derik’s Chess School founder and CEO Deric Pinto and Sr Lydwyn were present.
