Ivana wins World Youth Chess c'ship

Goa:

She is all of 7 and she is already the country's youngest world champion. Meet Ivana Furtado who made India and her home state Goa proud by winning the World Youth Chess Championship held in Georgia in the under 8 category.

Ivana won 8 rounds, lost 2 and drew 1, facing tough opponents from Poland, Hungary, Angolia, Azerbaziya and India.

Rooting for her throughout the championship were her parents and her coach who stood firmly by her side.

"I feel great, my toughest opponent was Swety Patil she won the gold medal last year, we both played a good game, she made one mistake and I won the game," said Ivana Furtado, Winner World Youth Chess Championship.

In the past Ivana has won silver in an Asian U-8 event in Tehran and a bronze in Delhi.

Incidentally, in the Georgia championship Ivana overcame fellow Indian Soumya Mukherjee to bag the gold medal and create history. Her father is understandably full of pride.

"All the experience has helped her in a long way, and developed her confidence and poise. In spite of adverse conditions, wherein even if she is in a losing position she wins back and comes back very strongly," said Ele Furtado, Ivana Furtado father.

World-class success and big prize money, so what is the little girl going to do with all that? Her parents had a ready answer.

"Anything, whether money, whatever prizes she gets, are given to Mother Teresa's missionaries," said Jeniffer Furtado, Ivana Furtado's mother.

After Parimarjan Negi's feat of becoming the youngest grandmaster it's the Goan girl's turn to keep the Indian flag flying high in the world of chess. Perhaps an encouraging sign for those who are looking at Chess as a career option.