Under-13: The Next Wave of Stars at the 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships
The Under-13 section of the 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships showcases the next generation of elite chess talent. Featuring internationally titled players, record-breakers, and rapidly rising prodigies, this field highlights how early competitive excellence is now emerging in modern chess.
As one of the premier online youth chess events in the world, the ChessKid Youth Championships provide a global platform for young players to test themselves in fast-paced, high-pressure competition. The 2026 Under-13 lineup reflects the growing depth, professionalism, and international strength of youth chess at the highest level.
In this article, we take a detailed look at the Under-13 field of the 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships, highlighting the leading contenders, emerging challengers, and the depth that makes this section one of the most exciting youth competitions of the year.
How to Watch The 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships
The ChessKid Youth Championships will be played online and broadcast live on ChessKid and Chess.com. Viewers will be able to follow the games in real time, track standings, and watch live coverage throughout the event. Full schedules and broadcast details will be available on ChessKid.com.
Meanwhile, in this article, you will find:
- How to Watch The 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships
- Overview of the Under-13 Field
- Why the Under-13 Section Matters
- Explore the Under-16 Championship Field
Overview of the Under-13 Field
The Under-13 section highlights a diverse and talented group of young players who are already gaining international experience. Many competitors have earned FIDE titles, crossed key rating milestones, and faced strong opposition in major open events. The depth of the field reflects the growing strength and global reach of modern youth chess.
Bodhana Sivanandan: A Generational Talent
Bodhana Sivanandan is one of the most extraordinary young talents in modern chess and the central figure of the Under-13 field at the 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships. Born in March 2015 in London, she began playing during the 2020 lockdown and quickly rose to international prominence, setting multiple age-related records along the way.
Within two years of learning the game, she was already among Europe’s top young players, winning silver medals in rapid and blitz at the European Under-8 Championships and later sweeping the European Schools Championships with a perfect 24/24 score. Her results drew attention not only for their dominance but for the maturity of her play.
By 2022 and 2023, Bodhana was competing successfully against much older opponents, impressing at major British events and finishing as the top English player at the European Blitz Championship. Her rapid rise through the FIDE titles followed, culminating in 2025 when she became the youngest player ever to earn the Woman International Master title and the youngest girl to achieve a Woman Grandmaster norm.
She was also the youngest athlete ever selected for a full England national team at the Chess Olympiad and has defeated multiple grandmasters in official competition. Known for her composure and positional understanding, Bodhana enters the 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships as the standout player in the Under-13 field and one of the defining talents of her generation.
Aswath Kaushik: Record-Breaking Challenger
The player most often mentioned alongside Bodhana in the Under-13 conversation is Aswath Kaushik. Born in the same year, Aswath has followed a different but equally striking path to the top. He became the youngest player in history to defeat a grandmaster, a result that resonated across the chess world and immediately established him as one of the defining talents of his generation. Since then, his rapid rise through the FIDE titles, culminating in the FIDE master title in 2025, has confirmed that this breakthrough was not a one-off moment but the foundation of a sustained climb.
Reyaansh Chakrabarty: The Rising Contender
Close behind this leading duo is Reyaansh Chakrabarty, a FIDE master representing Australia. Reyaansh has built a reputation through steady rating growth and strong performances across classical, rapid, and blitz formats. With a balanced skill set and increasing experience at the top youth level, he represents the next wave of challengers capable of disrupting the established hierarchy.
Together, these players ensure that the Under-13 section is not defined by a single storyline, but by a competitive landscape where multiple young talents are already pushing toward elite standards.
Next Favorites to Watch
Behind the headline names, a strong group of next favorites brings depth and balance to the Under-13 field.
Supratit Banerjee, a FIDE master born in 2014, already holds ratings above 2300 in classical and blitz. Ethan Guo (born 2013) is another FIDE master to watch closely, with ratings above 2300 classical and strong performances across all time controls. Marc Llari adds further strength with a well-rounded profile and proven competitiveness in classical chess.
Linxi Zhu and Ali Poyraz Uzdemir, both FIDE masters born in 2014, bring distinct playing styles and ratings above 2200. Aarav Sarbalia (born 2013), a FIDE master, continues steady progress. Luca Protopopescu (born 2016), the youngest player in the field, has already crossed the 2200 classical rating mark. Marc Barcelo, a candidate master, and Hardy Gu complete a field where every round promises fighting chess and meaningful learning opportunities.
Why the Under-13 Section Matters
For many of these players, the ChessKid Youth Championships represent far more than a single tournament. At this stage of development, high-level competitive exposure plays a critical role in shaping long-term growth. Events like this provide young players with the opportunity to face international opposition, adapt to different playing styles, and perform under time pressure in a structured championship environment.
The Under-13 section is particularly significant because it sits at a turning point in many players’ careers. It is often the moment when promising youth talents begin transitioning from strong scholastic competitors to serious international contenders. Success here builds confidence, resilience, and experience against peers who are already pushing toward elite standards.
Beyond results, the format encourages learning through competition. Players must manage preparation, handle momentum swings, and recover from setbacks in fast-paced formats. These are essential skills not only for future titles and norms, but for sustained excellence over time.
For spectators, the Under-13 field offers something equally compelling: a preview of tomorrow’s grandmasters. The intensity, creativity, and fearlessness displayed in this section often foreshadow the rivalries and storylines that will define elite chess in the years ahead.
Read more about the ChessKid Youth Championships
Explore the Under-16 Championship Field
For readers interested in the older age group competing at an even more advanced professional level, the 2026 ChessKid Youth Championships also feature a historic Under-16 section. That field includes Andy Woodward, Faustino Oro, Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus, Henry Tudor, Ryo Chen, Tani Adewumi, Aaron Mendes, Lu Miaoyi, Patryk Cieslak, Megan Paragua, and Sergey Sklokin. A full overview of the Under-16 field is available in the dedicated Under-16 article.
Read more about the Under-16 Championship Field
As Fun Master Mike might say, when the clocks are this fast and the players are this fearless, even the pieces start sweating!