Mangaluru/Abu Dhabi: The Ekalavya Awardee of 2011 (Chess) Viani Antonio D’Cunha from the city and a student of R.V.College of Engineering, Bengaluru has achieved the title International Master in Abu Dhabi Chess Festival- International Masters Tournament held from August 21 to 29, 2016.
Viani Antonio D’cunha achieved his International Master title by attaining the required rating of 2400 in the last round against International Master Fawzy Adham of Egypt. Thus, he is the first and only International Master in Chess from South Kanara District. Viani has achieved 5 International Master (required for the title 3) norms out of which 3 norms were achieved in previous Abu Dhabi events. With the rating of 2346 he increased 41 points in Czech Open 2016 and 23 in Abu Dhabi Masters and now has a live rating of 2410.
Indian Oil Corporation has granted Viani “Elite Scholar” scholarship 2011-12 with a monthly stipend of Rs.12,000/- for his chess activities.
Viani gratefully recalls the support and encouragement he has been receiving from his parents. He also counts among his well-wishers, Dr Vishwanath Physical Director and Management of R.V.College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Prof. Maria D’costa of UExcel, Fr Melwyn Pinto, Fr Clifford Sequeira, all his teachers at St Aloysius, Fr Marcel Saldanha, now parish priest of Kumble, Valerian Dalmaida who has taken care of his stay during two Norm Events in Abu Dhabi, Clevy Leo Rodrigues of Al Mazroui & Clevy Automobile services, S P Ithal from Siddapur in Kundapur taluk and International Master Raja Ravishekar from Bengaluru and Nirmal E P from Kerala for their consistent guidance.
