Eight young chess players from Andhra Pradesh—four boys and four girls—have earned spots in the upcoming National Under‑19 Chess Championship after excelling in the state tournament in Visakhapatnam. Their selection highlights the state’s growing chess talent pool.

Key Takeaways

  • Eight AP players will represent the state at the National U‑19 Chess Championship.
  • The selection was made from a pool of 240 participants across the state.
  • Both boys’ and girls’ categories contributed four qualifiers each.

State‑Level Tournament Overview

The Visakha Chess Association and Aditya Chess Academy hosted the two‑day Under‑19 State Championship in Visakhapatnam, drawing 240 young competitors who showcased sharp tactics and deep strategic understanding.

Selection Process and Officials

The selection panel, led by Andhra Chess Association President Adusumilli Suresh, Secretary Jagadish, Vice‑President Venkateswara Rao, and the tournament director, oversaw the final picks to ensure the strongest representatives for the national event.

Qualified Boys

East Godavari’s Alluri Bhaskara Ratna Shanmukha Reddy topped the boys’ category, followed by Gnana Sai Santhosh of Kakinada, Majji Ram Charan Tej of East Godavari, and Jayaprakash Vanam of Kakinada.

Qualified Girls

Sharvani Cheedipalli from NTR district secured first place among the girls, with Sravya Sri Bhimarasetti of Anakapalle, Himisha of Visakhapatnam, and Gorli Naina of Visakhapatnam rounding out the top four.

Historical Background

Andhra Pradesh has produced several international chess masters over the last two decades, benefitting from early‑age coaching programs and state‑sponsored training camps that have consistently fed talent into national squads.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that nurturing chess talent at the state level directly boosts India’s prospects in upcoming international youth championships, enhancing both individual careers and the nation’s sporting prestige.

“Youth chess tournaments are critical for developing strategic thinking and mental resilience,” says national coach Ramesh Kumar.
Did You Know?: Andhra Pradesh introduced chess as an extracurricular activity in public schools in 2015, leading to a surge in junior tournament participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Were there specific criteria for selection?
A: Yes, players had to finish within the top four of the state championship and meet a minimum national rating threshold.

Q2: When is the National U‑19 Championship scheduled?
A: The national event is slated for October 2026, with the exact venue to be announced shortly.