By Naya Seth

Photos courtesy of the Guntaka family

Aayansh Guntaka is gaining both smarts and awards! This 9-year-old chess prodigy has competed in tournaments worldwide, quickly becoming one of the best in the U-9 category.

Aayansh’s interest in chess began during the pandemic lockdown when his mom taught him the game at age 6. What started as a way to pass time turned into a passion. Over the years, he improved significantly and now practices for around five hours daily. Although chess is a big part of his life, Aayansh takes occasional rest days to recharge.

To balance his intense chess schedule with academics, Aayansh transitioned to ASU Prep Digital, an online program that gives him more flexibility. He also connects with friends at tournaments, finding a balance between his studies, his game, and his social life.

Chess has taught Aayansh invaluable skills, especially in math and problem-solving. Despite his many accomplishments, he says there’s always more to learn. His favorite parts of chess are playing the game and the thrill of winning.

Aayansh competes almost every weekend in Arizona and travels internationally twice a month for major tournaments. Of the 20-plus countries he has visited, his favorite competitions include the World Schools Chess Championship in Rhodes, Greece, and the 2024 FIDE World Championship in Lima, Peru, where he won first place. He also achieved first place at the World Schools Blitz Chess Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. While Aayansh sometimes feels pressure during tournaments, he says the stress disappears when he wins. His parents, however, find the competitions more stressful, as they’re always rooting for him to win.

On National Chess Day, October 12, Aayansh appeared on Good Morning America to share his achievements and future goals. He has also been featured in many local publications. Looking ahead, Aayansh hopes to become a grandmaster and eventually the world chess champion. Beyond chess, he dreams of attending Harvard to become a doctor.

To learn more about Aayansh, visit aayanshloveforchess.com.