Monday, September 11, 2006

Antonio Viani D’ Cunha

The Mangalorean Wonder-kid, the Rising Star, the Pride of the D’Cunha family and the Chess Grandmaster in making is none other than Antonio Viani D’Cunha affectionately called as Viani.

Born on 12-03-1995 in Dubai to a devout, God-fearing couple Mr Harold D’Cunha and Mrs. Lydia D’Cunha, spent his infancy in Derebail Viani was gazing at the chess game from the lap of his mother at the age of 4 while Harold and Lydia were playing. He began moving pawns at the age of 5, started displaying his genius when he was 6 and entered the portals of incredibles of chess at the age of 7. He joined Derrick’s Chess School in Mangalore at the age of 6 ½ to hone his skills on chessboard. Viani’s 2 elder sisters Viona (14) and Mariona (13) are schooling at Victoria Girls High School, Lady Hill Urwa are also known for their chess game.

This young prodigy shows amazing sharpness in the game. The statements made by his trainers at the Derek’s Chess School amply testify this. “I have found an immense quality of a good fighter in him. He is always total when he is on the board”. Mr Derrick Pinto, FIDE Rated player, Mangalore. In the words of Mr Prasanna Rao, National Arbiter, “Viani is a very good player. But more than his game, I appreciate his approach. He is committed, creative and composed. I feel a Grandmaster in making in him.”

Viani lives with his mother Mrs. Lydia and 2 sisters at Anveeth Apartments, near Urwa Marigudi, Mangalore. St. Aloysius College Primary School is lucky to have this prodigy in its portals. His father Mr Harold is working in Dubai.

The constant and consistent efforts of Viani were rewarded in the state level Competitions thus bringing him to the limelight. He was the Runner Up under 13 category in the State Championship held at Hassan in 2006. He secured 8th place in the State Open Federated Chess Championship held at Bangalore in 2006. He was the State Champion in State Under 11 Boys Chess Championship – 2005 held at Mangalore. He was the State Champion in State Under 9 Boys Chess Championship – 2004 held at Shimoga. He was the Runner Up in State Under 9 Boys Chess Championship – 2003 held at Shimoga. He was the State Champion in Under 7 Boys Chess Championship – 2002 held at Sirsi. He was the 4th in the State Under 7 Boys Chess Championship – 2001 held at Bangalore.


Viani earned name and fame in the national level too. He was the Bronze Medallist in National School Team Chess Championship in Under 14 Category held at Vizag during 2006. He was the Runner Up in the National Under 9 Boys Chess Championship – 2004 held at Ahmedabad, thereby qualified to represent India in Asian Youth Chess Championship 2005. He was in 5th position in the National Under 9 Boys Chess Championship – 2003 held at Calicut. He secured ‘Best Under 8 Player’ in ‘B.C. Cochin All India FIDE Rated Tournament’ held at Cochin during 2003. He obtained 17th position in the National Under 7 Boys Chess Championship – 2002 held at Lucknow. He secured 5th position in the National Under 7 Boys Chess Championship –2001 held at Chennai.

Viani’s chess achievements in the international level at a tender age are amazing. He has an international FIDE Rating 1946. He represented India in under 10 Asian Championship at New Delhi, secured 9th place in the under 10 category in Asian Youth Chess Championship-2004 and obtained 5th position in the under 10 category in Asian Youth Chess Championship 2003 held at Calicut.

Viani’s basic chess teacher, inspirer and caretaker mother Mrs. Lydia deserves a lion’s share in the glory of her son. Her support enabled Viani’s chess skill to bloom winning him numerous prizes and certificates in District, Inter-District and Academic level tournaments. But for her constant encouragement this infant genius would have not seen the light of the day.


Konkaniworld.com salutes this young chess champion cum wonder-boy of Mangalore and wishes to see him shining in the international level as a Grand Master. All the best Viani.

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