Madhvendra Sharma and Aaradhya Das Crowned Champions at National Under-13 Chess Championship 2026

New Champions at National Level

PONDICHERRY — The National Under 13 Chess Championship 2026 concluded in Pondicherry with Madhvendra Pratap Sharma claiming the title in the Boys category and Aaradhya Das taking the top honours among the Girls. The All India Chess Federation organised the event, bringing together young talent from across the country.

The championship served as a crucial qualifying platform for emerging players in the Under-13 age group, with competitors showcasing their skills over several rounds of intense play.

Podium Finishes

In the Boys category, Avirat Chauhan finished as runner-up, while Advik Reddy Moate secured third place. Among the Girls, Aadya Gowda claimed the silver medal position, with Pooja Shree R taking bronze.

The top five finishes in each category were as follows:

• Boys: 1. Madhvendra Pratap Sharma, 2. Avirat Chauhan, 3. Advik Reddy Moate, 4. Divith Reddy Adulla, 5. Ishaan Bhansali
• Girls: 1. Aaradhya Das, 2. Aadya Gowda, 3. Pooja Shree R, 4. Janaki S D, 5. Dishita Dey

Strong Turnout in Pondicherry

The event drew a significant number of participants competing in both the Boys and Girls divisions. Over 100 players registered for the championship, making it one of the larger Under-13 gatherings in recent years.

Sharma and Das earned their titles through consistent performances throughout the tournament, outplaying a field of talented young opponents. Their victory marks a significant achievement in their developing chess careers.

The Under-13 championship continues to be an important milestone in the development pathway for Indian chess, with many past winners going on to compete at senior national and international levels.

Looking Ahead

Both champions will now look to build on their national success as they continue to develop their games. The results of the championship may also carry ranking points that could influence seeding in upcoming events.

Source

This report is based on information published by All India Chess Federation (AICF).

Official source: https://aicf.in/certificate-national-under-13-chess-championship-2026-in-pondicherry/