Eight-year-old Anaya Sharma, a rising chess talent from Hyderabad, clinched the gold medal in the under-8 category at the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur. An ELO 1600+ player, she trains at Maestro Chess Academy and aims to become a Grandmaster.
Hyderabad: At just eight years old, Anaya Sharma is fast becoming one of Telangana’s brightest upcoming chess stars. With strong support from her parents, Gaurav Sharma and Aarti Bolaki, she secured the gold medal at the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
Anaya dominated the girls’ under-8 category, showcasing remarkable composure and tactical brilliance against strong contenders. She finished with an impressive score to secure the top spot, outplaying several higher-rated opponents along the way.
Her chess journey began at the age of five during the Kalpataru Summer Camp at Ekagra, and she now trains at the Maestro Chess Academy in Attapur. Anaya follows an intense training routine of six to eight hours a day under the guidance of her coach, Amitpal Singh.
“After proving her acumen at the State and National levels, Anaya stepped onto the international stage by representing India at the Under-8 World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, in July 2025. Out of 200 participants, she secured a commendable seventh place,” her proud parents recalled.
Now an ELO 1600+ player, Anaya is equally committed to her academics. A fourth-standard student at Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, she is known for excelling both on the chessboard and in the classroom.
Like many young talents, Anaya has set her sights on becoming a Grandmaster and is confident of achieving this milestone. “I am grateful to my coach Amitpal Sir and fellow chess players for all their support,” she shared as she prepares for upcoming major events.
Her coach, too, believes she has a bright future ahead. “She has the spark,” he said, highlighting her talent, discipline, and constant drive to improve.
