Medellin, Colombia: Eight-year-old Sarayu Thalapaneni, a Telugu-origin girl living in the United States, has made a remarkable mark in international chess by winning the Girls U-8 title at the 2026 Pan-American Youth Chess Championship in Medellin, Colombia.
Representing the United States, Sarayu delivered a flawless performance in the classical chess competition, winning all nine of her games to finish with a perfect 9/9 score. She remained unbeaten throughout the nine-round tournament and secured the continental championship in her age category. Official tournament records confirm her first-place finish with nine points from nine games.
Nine games, nine victories
The week-long championship brought together young chess players from across North, Central and South America. Sarayu dominated the Girls U-8 classical section, winning every round and finishing ahead of her competitors.
Her outstanding performance also earned her recognition as one of the youngest players to qualify for an official FIDE chess title. Recent reporting identifies her as a Woman Candidate Master (WCM), adding another significant milestone to her young chess career.
The tournament was held from July 27 to August 1 in Medellin, with the classical section played over nine rounds under standard time controls.
A passion that began at five
Sarayu began learning chess at the age of five through group classes at the Capel Chess Club. Initially, chess was one of several activities she enjoyed alongside Kuchipudi, piano, art and gymnastics.
Her talent became more evident after she participated in a local tournament, where chess coach Anil Gutla noticed her potential. He encouraged her mother, Sri Lakshmi, to consider individual coaching so that Sarayu could develop her skills further.
The family subsequently approached International Master Saksam Rautela for guidance. Sarayu later continued her individual training with another International Master, while balancing school, chess practice and tournaments.
Chess gradually became part of her daily routine, with practice after school and competitions on weekends.
Strong rankings at a young age
Sarayu has also achieved impressive rankings for her age. As of December 2025, she was ranked No. 1 among U.S. girls aged seven and under in the relevant top-100 list. She subsequently remained at the top of the FIDE rating list for girls eligible for the U-8 category during the early months of 2026.
Her latest Pan-American championship victory has further strengthened her reputation as one of the promising young chess players representing the United States.
Despite her growing success in chess, Sarayu continues to focus on her education. She is a third-grade student at Great Hearts Irving in Texas and maintains a busy schedule that includes chess practice after school.
She has reduced some of her other activities because of her demanding chess schedule but continues to play the piano. She also takes part in taekwondo during the summer.
Telugu roots and family support
Sarayu's father is from Hyderabad, while her mother is from Gannavaram. Her family has played an important role in supporting her development both academically and in chess.
Following her championship victory in Colombia, Sarayu received a warm welcome after returning to the Dallas area. Her achievement also drew congratulations from local officials and prominent figures in the chess community.
With a perfect 9/9 score at just eight years old, Sarayu Thalapaneni has now added a major international title to her growing list of achievements and emerged as a young chess talent to watch.
