London is currently host to a significant event in the global chess calendar: the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, running from June 10th to 16th. Now in its third iteration, the tournament has expanded, notably by adding a Blitz competition and attracting an impressive 55 teams filled with many of the world`s top-ranked Grandmasters. However, the real buzz this year isn`t solely about the established elite; it`s the remarkable influx and performance of exceptionally young talent that`s capturing attention.
This championship is open to teams of all compositions and skill levels, fostering a unique environment where seasoned professionals compete directly alongside rising stars. While there are no mandatory requirements for teams to include junior players, a striking number have chosen to do so. And crucially, these young competitors are not merely observers or token participants – they are actively influencing results and demonstrating skills far beyond their years, signaling what many see as a palpable generational shift in top-tier chess.
Witnessing players barely in their teens (and some even younger) challenging and sometimes even outplaying grandmasters with decades more experience adds an exciting, unpredictable dynamic to the competition. It`s a stark reminder that talent knows no strict age boundaries in the cerebral arena of chess.
Here are some of the standout young prodigies who are making waves and proving they belong on this prestigious stage in London:
Photo: English Chess Federation
Shreyas Royal (16): Representing England on the `Rookies` team, Shreyas earned the title of youngest British Grandmaster at just 15 years and 7 months. Competing on home soil, he`s already faced top opposition in major events like the FIDE Grand Swiss, demonstrating his readiness for the elite circuit.
Photo: islandkey.com
Deborah Quickpen (13): Playing for `Mother Continent`, Nigeria`s Deborah Quickpen picked up chess at an age when most kids are mastering shoelaces (three!). By 11, she had become the youngest ever Nigerian Chess Champion, a national record that speaks volumes about her precocious talent.
Photo: Michal Walusza
Bodhana Sivanandan (10): Another English star, on the `e-therapeutics` team. Bodhana`s rapid ascent began during the 2020 lockdown. Fast forward to July 2024, and she made history as the youngest person *ever* selected for an English national team in *any* sport, preparing to compete at the Chess Olympiad. That`s quite an achievement for someone barely a decade old.
Photo: Lennart Ootes
Roman Shogdzhiev (10): A teammate on `Rookies`, Roman recently became the youngest International Master in history at just 10 years, 3 months, and 21 days. His legend began earlier, however, when at the tender age of eight he famously defeated five Grandmasters at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2023. Facing Roman across the board must be a truly humbling experience for many titled players.
Photo: Maria Emelianova
Faustino Oro (11): Playing for `Turkish Airlines Sports Club`, Argentina`s Faustino Oro held the youngest IM record before Roman. His defining moment for many chess fans came in March 2024 when he achieved the seemingly impossible: defeating Magnus Carlsen, the former World Champion and arguably the greatest player of all time, in an online bullet game. Yes, an 11-year-old beat Magnus. Let that resonate for a moment.
Photo: Eesti Maleliit
Sofia Blokhin (19): An Estonian Woman FIDE Master with `Olala Stars`. While slightly older than the others listed, Sofia is already a reigning World Rapid Champion in the Girls Under-18 category (2024) and a multiple European champion. She brings proven success at her age level to the team competition.
Photo: Michal Walusza
Zsóka Gaál (18): A Hungarian Woman Grandmaster representing `Team Hungary`. Zsóka earned her WGM title recently and has a history of winning European and World Youth Championships online. She represents the wave of young players successfully transitioning from junior events to higher-level competition.
Photo: Biel International Chess Festival
Marc`Andria Maurizzi (18): Playing for `Knight Dance`, Marc`Andria became the youngest French GM years ago. He`s since co-won the World Junior Championship and continues to post strong results in tough international tournaments, solidifying his position as a formidable young force.
Photo: Mikael Svensson
Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş (13): A Turkish Grandmaster on `Generation XYZA`. Achieving the GM title at under 13 is rare, but Yağız didn`t stop there, becoming the youngest player ever to cross the elite 2600 Elo rating barrier at age 13. His trajectory is exceptionally steep.
Photo: Mitar Djukanovic
Pranav Venkatesh (18): An Indian Grandmaster for `Team MGD1`. Pranav earned his GM title in 2022 and recently added the prestigious World Junior Chess Championship title to his resume, confirming his status as a leading player of his generation.
Photo: Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha
Sarbartho Mani (9): Also from India, listed with the formidable `Freedom` team. At just nine years old, Sarbartho is competing alongside legends. He previously dominated the National Under-7 Championship with a perfect score, indicating a competitive spirit and skill well beyond his years.
The presence and impact of these remarkable young players underscore a thrilling trend in chess. The pathway to elite levels is opening up earlier than ever, and the traditional hierarchy is being challenged by fearless, well-prepared youngsters. The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in London isn`t just a battle between established powerhouses; it`s a showcase for the future of the game, played out right now on boards across the city. For the seasoned grandmasters, it seems the greatest challenge might not always come from their peers, but from opponents who still need help reaching the top shelf. The kids, it`s safe to say, are more than alright; they`re phenomenal.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby