BRING YOUR VISION INTO ACTION
A Rare Feat in the Chess World
In the world of competitive chess, crossing 2000 Elo rating is considered a major milestone even for experienced players. Now imagine achieving that at the age of just nine years old.
That is exactly what Tamizh Amudhan has accomplished.
Today, he stands as the only player in the world in the Under-9 category with a rating above 2000 Elo, making him World No.1 in the U-9 rankings. His journey from a curious child learning chess at home to becoming a globally recognized young chess prodigy is nothing short of extraordinary.
Where It All Began
Tamizh first learned the game when he was just four years old. His introduction to chess came informally from his cousins, who themselves had recently started playing.
Even at that young age, Tamizh showed something special — an intuitive understanding of the chessboard.
His early talent was first noticed outside the family by Ravichandran, a bus driver from Kallakurichi who also coached chess part-time. During a district tournament, Tamizh scored 3 out of 5 points against experienced players, despite having no formal training.
Impressed by the boy’s natural ability, Ravichandran decided to coach him free of cost.
Early Signs of Greatness
Tamizh’s rapid improvement soon became impossible to ignore.
At just six years old, he delivered a remarkable performance in a State Under-9 tournament, scoring a perfect 9/9. Interestingly, he was the only player in any category at the event to achieve a perfect score.
And he achieved this without structured professional coaching.
That moment convinced his family that Tamizh needed serious chess training and greater exposure.
The Turning Point in His Training
His rating graph shot up dramatically, and within a short span:
• He crossed the 2000 Elo mark at age 8, one of the youngest ever.
• He earned the Candidate Master (CM) title.
• He became World No.1 in the Under-9 category (February 2026).
• At one point, he gained 350+ rating points in a single month — an extremely rare achievement in competitive chess.
Success on the International Stage
Tamizh soon began representing India in international events.
At the Asian Youth Chess Championship 2025, he delivered a stellar performance and won:
• Individual Silver (Standard)
• Team Silver (Standard)
• Individual Bronze (Rapid)
• Team Silver (Rapid)
• Team Silver (Blitz)
These achievements placed him among the most promising young chess talents in the world.
A Silver Medal… and a Car!
One of the most memorable moments in Tamizh’s journey came at the Athens of the East Chess Tournament.
He scored an incredible 8.5/9 and achieved a performance rating of 2077, despite having a rating of just 1683 at the time.
His brilliant performance earned him a Silver Medal — and an unexpected reward.
He won a Maruti Suzuki car.
For a nine-year-old chess player, this moment became a symbol of how far his talent had taken him.
The Sacrifices Behind the Success
Behind every young chess champion is a story of sacrifice.
Tamizh’s parents have made immense efforts to support his career.
His father is a first-generation government officer from an agricultural background, while his mother is a homemaker.
To ensure Tamizh receives consistent training:
• His mother moved nearly 350 km away to live with him.
• His father stayed back with his sister, Uthisha.
Despite being only 10 years old, his sister accepted this arrangement with maturity to support her brother’s dream.
This is the kind of commitment often required to nurture elite chess talent.
The Financial Reality of Competitive Chess
While Tamizh’s journey is inspiring, it also highlights a challenge faced by many talented players.
Competitive chess involves significant expenses:
• Tournament travel
• Accommodation
• Entry fees
• Coaching
• Equipment
Due to financial constraints, Tamizh has had to miss several national and international tournaments, including events where his family believes he had strong chances of winning medals for India.
His father candidly shared:
“If we had known earlier how expensive this journey would be, we might have hesitated to enter this field.”
This statement reflects a broader reality faced by many young chess talents across the world.
A Journey Still Unfolding
Tamizh Amudhan’s story is a powerful reminder of what talent, dedication, and family support can achieve.
At just nine years old, he has already:
• Crossed 2000 Elo rating
• Become World No.1 in Under-9 chess
• Won multiple international medals
• Earned a Candidate Master title
And this is just the beginning.
With the right support and opportunities, Tamizh could very well become one of the future stars of world chess.
His journey reminds us that the next chess legend may already be quietly working on their game somewhere — waiting for the world to notice.