9-year-old Kayal Vijay from Hertfordshire has emerged as one of England’s brightest young chess talents after winning the 2026 European School Chess Championships in Croatia.
Kayal Vijay, a pupil at Avanti Meadows Primary School in Bishop’s Stortford, delivered a standout performance, scoring 8 out of 9 points while representing the English Chess Federation. Having taken up the game just two years ago, she is now the European champion in the girls’ under-9 category.
“I’m super happy to win the European Schools Championship,” Kayal said. “I scored 8 out of 9 and won seven games in a row. I also made friends from different countries and really enjoyed the tournament.”
Her parents, Savitha and Vijay, praised her commitment and determination. “We are incredibly proud of Kayal. Months of consistent hard work, dedication, and resilience have led to this well-deserved achievement. We look forward to seeing her continue to grow and succeed.”
Kayal first discovered chess at the age of seven. Since then, she has risen rapidly, holding the No. 1 ranking in her age group in the English Chess Federation ratings for the past two years.
Even before chess, Kayal showed a natural ability to recognize patterns. She learned to solve a Rubik’s Cube in just a few sessions and demonstrated similar aptitude while studying piano, quickly mastering complex note sequences. Encouraged by her parents, she took up chess and quickly developed a passion for the game, progressing at an exceptional pace.
She won her first trophy in November 2024 at a beginner tournament organized by She Plays To Win, a charitable initiative led by International Master Lorin D’Costa that promotes chess among girls. With support from local clubs and guidance from coach Paul Kemp of the Anglican Learning Chess Academy, Kayal continued to improve and began collecting titles.
Her success accelerated in 2025. She won the under-8 girls’ title at the EJCOA National Championship in Nottingham and followed it with victory at the prestigious British Junior Chess Championship in Liverpool.
At the English Youth Chess Championship in March 2026, Kayal competed in the under-10 girls’ section, finishing tied for first before placing runner-up after a playoff tiebreak. She also represented Essex in team competitions, helping secure the EPSCA inter-association under-11 girls’ titles in both 2025 and 2026.
Kayal began representing England internationally in 2025, competing in events such as the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in Greece, the World Cadet Championship in Kazakhstan, and the European Youth Chess Championship in Montenegro. Her triumph in Croatia now stands as her most significant achievement to date.
“We are grateful to the English Chess Federation for giving Kayal the opportunity to represent England,” her parents said. “We also thank her coaches, local clubs, and everyone who has supported her journey.”
Game records are available on Lichess and Chess.com. Full tournament results can also be viewed online.
About the English Chess Federation
The English Chess Federation (ECF) is the national governing body for chess in England and is affiliated with FIDE, the International Chess Federation. Its mission is to promote chess as a tool for cultural enrichment and personal development, while supporting players at all levels and advancing the game as both a competitive sport and a social activity.
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