London is currently hosting the third edition of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships, running from June 10th to 16th. This year`s event has expanded significantly, featuring a new Blitz tournament, an increased prize fund, and a robust field of 55 teams. While the championship draws many of the world`s top Grandmasters, a particularly striking feature of this edition is the remarkable influx of young talent.
The tournament structure, which welcomes teams with players of all levels, has paved the way for an unprecedented number of rising stars to compete alongside seasoned professionals. These young players are not merely filling roster spots; they are actively influencing match outcomes and contributing to their teams` performance. Their prominent presence underscores a significant generational shift that is currently unfolding within elite chess. Below are some of the exceptional young players who are making their mark at the London championships.
Meet the Rising Stars
Shreyas Royal (16)
Photo: English Chess Federation
Competing for the `Rookies` team, the English player, born in January 2009, became the youngest British player to achieve the Grandmaster title on August 20, 2024, at the age of 15 years and 7 months. His prior experience includes participation in the 2023 FIDE Grand Swiss tournament and a strong sixth-place finish at the 2024 British Chess Championship.
Deborah Quickpen (13)
Photo: islandkey.com
Representing Nigeria on the `Mother Continent` team, Quickpen embarked on her chess journey at the remarkably early age of three. By 2023, at just eleven years old, she made history by becoming the youngest ever Nigeria Chess Champion, holding the distinction as the youngest individual to claim the national title.
Bodhana Sivanandan (10)
Photo: Michal Walusza
An English Woman FIDE Master playing for the `e-therapeutics` team. Bodhana took up chess during the 2020 lockdown and rapidly ascended, securing silver medals at the European Under-8 rapid and blitz championships by March 2022. In a historic moment in July 2024, she became the youngest person ever selected for an English national team in any sport, representing her country at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest.
Roman Shogdzhiev (10)
Photo: Lennart Ootes
Another formidable member of the `Rookies` team, born in February 2015. Roman etched his name in history on May 25, 2025, just prior to this event, by becoming the youngest International Master ever at 10 years, 3 months, and 21 days. His exceptional talent was already evident in December 2023, when he famously defeated five Grandmasters at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships at the age of just eight. One can only wonder what he`ll be doing next week.
Faustino Oro (11)
Photo: Maria Emelianova
The Argentine International Master, born in October 2013, is playing for `Turkish Airlines Sports Club`. In 2023, he became the youngest player to achieve a classical rating of 2300. He gained widespread attention in March 2024 for defeating none other than Magnus Carlsen in a Bullet Brawl tournament. He held the record for the youngest International Master until May 2025.
Sofia Blokhin (19)
Photo: Eesti Maleliit
An Estonian Woman FIDE Master on the `Olala Stars` team, born in March 2006. Blokhin is the reigning World Rapid Champion in the Girls Under-18 category (2024) and holds multiple European championship titles. She has also represented Estonia in two Chess Olympiads and served as a reserve player at the 2023 European Team Championship.
Zsóka Gaál (18)
Photo: Michal Walusza
A Hungarian Woman Grandmaster playing for `Team Hungary`, born in May 2007. Gaál earned her WGM title in November 2024. Her achievements include being the 2016 European Youth Champion (U10 girls) and the 2021 online World Youth Champion (U14 girls), showcasing consistent performance across different formats and age groups.
Marc`Andria Maurizzi (18)
Photo: Biel International Chess Festival
This French Grandmaster, born in May 2007, represents `Knight Dance`. He became the youngest French GM in May 2021 at just 14 years and 5 days old. His notable results include sharing first place in the 2023 World Junior Chess Championship, tying for second at the 2024 Tata Steel Challengers, and winning the strong Djerba Masters in February 2025 with an impressive performance rating.
Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş (13)
Photo: Mikael Svensson
A Turkish Grandmaster born in June 2011, playing for `Generation XYZA`. Erdoğmuş earned his GM title in April 2024 at the age of 12 years and 10 months. In September 2024, he became the youngest player globally to surpass the 2600 Elo rating mark. He has demonstrated strong performance in numerous elite tournaments, including a 9th place finish at the Sunway Sitges tournament in 2023 and participation in the 2024 Grenke Open.
Pranav Venkatesh (18)
Photo: Mitar Djukanovic
Representing India on the `Team MGD1` roster, Pranav, born in October 2006, became India`s 75th Grandmaster in 2022. His recent accolades include clinching the World Junior Chess Championship title in March 2025. He also holds two gold medals from the U-18 section of the FIDE World Youth Rapid and Blitz Championship.
Sarbartho Mani (9)
Photo: Sara Bangla Daba Sangstha
An Indian Arena FIDE Master, born in 2016. Mani is listed on the roster for the `Freedom` team, notably alongside legendary former World Champion Viswanathan Anand. At the age of seven, he demonstrated exceptional potential by winning the 36th National Under-7 Open Championship in 2023 with a perfect score of 9/9.
A Glimpse into the Future
The participation and strong performances of these young competitors at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in London are more than just individual success stories. They represent a powerful signal about the future trajectory of competitive chess. As these prodigies challenge established norms and compete head-to-head with experienced Grandmasters, they not only add immense excitement to the current event but also offer a compelling glimpse into the potential landscape of elite chess in the years to come. Their presence confirms that the dedication and technical prowess required for top-level chess are being mastered at increasingly younger ages, promising a vibrant and dynamic future for the sport.
