From Bhubaneshwar to Nagpur: The Journey of India's Youngest Chess Stars

Looking Back at the 2025 Championship

The 38th National Under-7 Open & Girls Chess Championships were held from 1st to 5th June 2025 at KT Global School, Khordha, Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. Organized by the All Odisha Chess Association under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation, the event attracted players from across the country. A total of 345 participants took part in the championship, with 217 players in the Open section and 128 players in the Girls section. The tournament was one of the largest national age-group events held in the country during the year.

The Top Seeds

In the Open category, Telangana's Sreyansh Thumati entered the tournament as the top seed with a FIDE rating of 1539. In the Girls category, West Bengal's Saiaastha Singh started as the top seed with a FIDE rating of 1536.

Evan Antonio Telles

The biggest success story of the Open section came from Goa. Seven-year-old Evan Antonio Telles delivered an outstanding performance to win the National Under-7 Open Championship with an unbeaten score of 8.5/9. His tournament included a crucial victory over top seed Sreyansh Thumati in Round 8, helping him secure the title outright. The result was a landmark achievement for Goa chess and earned Evan the opportunity to represent India at the World Under-7 Championship later in the year.

A Perfect Tournament by Shreyanshi Jain

If Evan dominated the Open event, Shreyanshi Jain completely controlled the Girls section. Representing Rajasthan, Shreyanshi scored a flawless 9/9, winning every game she played. Such perfect scores are rare at the national level, making her performance one of the most impressive achievements of the championship. Tamil Nadu's Anika K secured second place with 7.5 points, while top seed Saiaastha Singh finished third on tiebreaks after scoring 7/9.

Final Podium Finishers

 Open Section

1. Evan Antonio Telles (Goa) – 8.5/9

2. Duvesh Milan P (Puducherry) – 7.5/9

3. Ansh Dadhich (Maharashtra) – 7.5/9

Girls Section

1. Shreyanshi Jain (Rajasthan) – 9/9

2. Anika K (Tamil Nadu) – 7.5/9

3. Saiaastha Singh (West Bengal) – 7/9

The Rise of New Stars

 One of the most talked-about stories from the championship was the performance of four-year-old Anish Sarkar, who finished inside the top ten of the Open section against significantly older opponents. The event once again highlighted the incredible depth of young chess talent emerging across India.

The Road Leads to Nagpur in 2026

The focus now shifts to the 39th National Under-7 Open & Girls Chess Championships. The 2026 edition will be held from 30th June to 4th July 2026 at GH Raisoni Institute of Engineering and Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra. The championship is being organized by the Maharashtra Chess Association and the Chess Association of Nagpur.

Like previous editions, the event will be played as a nine-round Swiss tournament with international FIDE rating calculations. Nagpur has hosted several major chess events in recent years, and the city now prepares to welcome the country's strongest Under-7 players for one of the most prestigious age-group championships in India.

The Top Seeds for 2026

Open Section

The Open event is headed by Lavik Ram Vislavath (Telangana), who enters the tournament as the top seed with a FIDE rating of 1591. Close behind him are Bhat Sathwik (Karnataka) on 1582, Dharmik Panchakatla (Andhra Pradesh) on 1563, and Shivansh Basu (West Bengal) on 1562.

Details

The field also features notable young talents such as Anish Sarkar (West Bengal), who attracted nationwide attention with his performance at the 2025 National Under-7 Championship.

Girls Section

The Girls Championship is led by Bhattacharya Udhriti (West Bengal), who starts as the top seed with a FIDE rating of 1529. She is followed closely by Aarini Lahoty (Delhi) on 1525 and Aditri Majumdar (West Bengal) on 1521, all of whom will be aiming for a place on the podium.

Details

Prize fund

A Battle of Rising Stars.

Unlike many senior events where experienced favourites often dominate, the Under-7 Nationals are known for producing surprises. Rating differences at this age can disappear quickly as young players improve at an extraordinary pace. While the top seeds enter Nagpur with the highest ratings, history has shown that new stars can emerge at any moment—as evidenced by Evan Antonio Telles and Shreyanshi Jain, who captured the national titles in 2025.

As the 39th National Under-7 Championships approach, all eyes will be on Nagpur to see which of these young talents takes the next step towards becoming one of India's future chess stars.

Why the Under-7 Championship Matters

 Many of India's strongest young players first attracted national attention through age-group championships like these. The Under-7 Nationals are often the first major stage where future national champions, international medalists, and titled players begin their journey.

From the memorable triumphs of Evan Antonio Telles and Shreyanshi Jain in Khordha, Bhubaneshwar, to the excitement awaiting Nagpur in 2026, the National Under-7 Championship continues to showcase the remarkable talent emerging from every corner of the country.

The next chapter is about to begin.

Report is edited by Devansh Singh