Evan Telles receives Rs. 50,000 under the Gopal and Shilpa Ved Scholarship

by Rasika Ratnaparkhi - 17/04/2026

8-year-old Evan Telles from Goa has won the Gopal and Shilpa Ved Scholarship. He is the youngest-rated player from Goa. He is also the first player from Goa to win Gold in a National Chess Championship. This scholarship, supported by donor Manan Ved for the second consecutive year, will help Evan access advanced coaching. His ultimate dream is to become one of the youngest Grandmasters in the country. Read the article to know more.

A rising star from Goa

Last year, the Gopal and Shilpa Ved Scholarship was launched to support young chess talent in India. It was given to Anirudhha Potawad, a chess talent from Mumbai. For the second edition, donor Manan Ved has once again stepped forward with a contribution of Rs. 50,000. When asked what inspired him to continue, Manan said, “Looking at Ashwin Sir contributing year on year, I also wanted to do my bit. This is a very good initiative, and I really feel it will make a difference to many chess enthusiasts.” He added that making a difference means ensuring a player’s basic needs are taken care of so they can give their best to the game, “like how our parents ensure everything else is taken care of, you just have to study!”

Last year, the scholarship was given to Anirudhha Potawad, a talented chess player from Mumbai.

This year, the scholarship finds a deserving recipient in Evan Telles, a young talent from Goa with extraordinary achievements and even bigger dreams!

Evan Telles is the youngest-rated player in Goa.

Evan’s chess journey began by watching his elder brother, Joshua Telles, return from tournaments with trophies. Evan was very fascinated, so he asked Joshua to teach him the game. His talent was immediately seen. At just 3½ years old, he won his first trophy as the Youngest Chess Player in an event. By age 5, he became the youngest rated player in Goa and he earned a rating in all three formats. He also made history as the first player from Goa to win Gold in the U-7 National Chess Championship in 2025.

The newspaper clipping featuring Joshua and Evan.

Evan featured in another newspaper publication.

Evan's story spread like wildfire!

Evan’s mother, Dr. Jean Valadares, a dental surgeon, stepped away from her profession to fully support Evan’s chess career. She accompanies him to tournaments across the nation and manages all the things related to his tournaments. His father, Enid Telles, and brother Joshua provide constant encouragement and mentorship.

Receiving the Gopal and Shilpa Ved Scholarship is a turning point for Evan. He is planning to use it for advanced coaching and participate in more tournaments. Considering his potential, if he gets more exposure, he could very well become one of the youngest Grandmasters India has ever produced.

Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to us. It will provide much-needed financial support and open doors to better opportunities. It will help Evan access higher-level coaching and improve his performance, bringing him closer to his dream of becoming one of the youngest Grandmasters in India.
- Evan’s mother, Jean shared.

She also expressed her gratitude to Manan Ved:

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the donor for his generous support. His contribution plays a vital role in helping Evan continue his chess journey and move closer to his dream. His encouragement and belief in Evan's potential mean a lot to us.”

Evan playing in the U-7 National Chess Championship in 2025.

Evan playing in a Blitz tournament in Goa.

Evan has shared a few of his best games with annotations. These games showcase his understanding of the game.

We hope to see Evan soar to greater heights and make India proud on the world stage!

How can you support?

If you would like to support Indian chess players, please contribute via the HelpChess website. If you would like to institute a scholarship or sponsor an amount, please do write to us at chessbaseindia@gmail.com to discuss the details of the same. HelpChess is an 80G registered Charitable Trust. Here are some details so that you can be sure that you are putting in your money in the right place:

PAN number: AACTH4426K

12A Registration - AACTH4426KE20215 dated 23/09/2021

80G No - AACTH4426KF20213

CSR No. CSR00016763