India’s young chess talent made a proud mark on the international stage as students of Upstep Academy won four medals for the country at the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 in Sri Lanka. Competing in the highly competitive Under 8 categories, Shreyanshi Jain, Ishaan Agnihorti, and Divisha Naveen Nayakula secured one Silver and three Bronze medals across Standard, Classical, and Blitz formats.
The medal-winning students were Shreyanshi Jain, Ishaan Agnihorti, and Divisha Naveen Nayakula. Their performances marked a significant milestone for Upstep Academy and reflected the growing strength of young Indian chess players who are preparing for competitive tournaments through structured online training.
Shreyanshi Jain produced one of the standout performances of the championship by winning the Silver Medal in the Under 8 Girls Standard category. Starting the tournament as the 39th seed, she defied expectations, held her nerve against higher-ranked players, and scored 5 points to finish second. Her performance reflected not only talent, but also confidence, discipline, and the ability to perform under pressure on an international stage.
Ishaan Agnihorti won two Bronze Medals, one in the Under 8 Classical category and another in the Under 8 Blitz category. Entering the tournament as the 8th seed, Ishaan faced early setbacks with two consecutive losses, but responded with composure and fighting spirit to finish on the podium. His performance across both Classical and Blitz formats showed competitive maturity beyond his age.
Divisha Naveen Nayakula won the Bronze Medal in the Under 8 Girls Blitz category. After a difficult start to the tournament, she came back with a five game winning streak to secure a podium finish. She also gained 63 Elo rating points during the event, underlining the strength of her performance and her continued growth as a competitive player.
Behind these medals are months of disciplined preparation, consistent practice, coach-led guidance, and strong support from families. For children competing at such a young age, international tournaments are not only tests of chess skill, but also of patience, confidence, emotional strength, and the ability to stay composed under pressure.
For Upstep Academy, the four-medal finish is more than a tournament result. It reflects the academy’s focus on structured Online chess learning, consistent preparation, and readiness across different formats of the game.
At Upstep Academy, students are trained with a focus on building strong fundamentals, tournament confidence, and the ability to think independently over the board. The academy’s coaching approach combines structured lessons, regular practice, and personalised guidance, helping young players prepare steadily for competitive chess at national and international levels.
Speaking on the achievement, Abhijit Hatkar, Founder and CEO of Upstep Academy and FIDE-rated player, said:
“These medals are special because each child had a different journey to the podium. Shreyanshi exceeded expectations against higher-ranked players, Ishaan fought back after early losses, and Divisha showed tremendous courage with a five-game winning streak. At this age, winning is not just about moves on the board. It is about discipline, confidence, resilience, and learning how to handle pressure. These are exactly the qualities we try to build at Upstep Academy.”
The achievement comes at a time when Indian chess is witnessing rapid growth, especially among younger age groups. With more children entering competitive chess early, the need for clear learning systems, disciplined coaching, and long-term tournament preparation has become more important than ever.
As India continues to emerge as one of the world’s strongest chess nations, performances like these show how structured early training can help young players move from learning the game to competing confidently on global platforms. For Upstep Academy, the four-medal finish at the Commonwealth Chess Championship 2026 is both a proud achievement and a reminder of the growing potential of India’s next generation of chess talent.
