At just 10 years old, Advik Manchanda is making waves in the world of chess. The Cedar Park, Texas, resident recently became the only Texan to win at the 2024 K-12 National Chess Championship. With a U.S. Chess Federation ranking of 1975, placing him in the top 2% of all Texas players—including adults—Advik is proving that dedication and passion can lead to remarkable achievements.
A Passion for Chess from an Early Age
Advik’s chess journey began when he was six years old, playing games with his mother. Initially, losing games made him feel frustrated, but instead of giving up, he chose to improve. Over time, his practice turned into tournament victories, titles, and national recognition.
To compete at a higher level, Advik’s family started traveling across Texas and the U.S., attending one to two tournaments a month. Despite the initial stress of facing unknown opponents, Advik learned to focus on his own game rather than worrying about his competition.
Victory at the 2024 K-12 National Chess Championship
In December 2024, Advik flew to Maryland to compete in the prestigious K-12 National Chess Championship. After seven intense games, he emerged as the last fourth grader standing, bringing home a medal, ranking points, and well-earned bragging rights. His victory even caught the attention of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who issued a proclamation celebrating his success.
This achievement solidified his status as one of the brightest young chess players in the country.
Training, Tournaments, and a Growing Chess Scene
Advik’s rigorous training schedule includes two hours of online chess practice daily, coaching sessions over Zoom with his mentor in India, and regular in-person matches with family and local players. When he’s not competing, he sharpens his skills at the Cedar Park Library’s Kids Chess Open Play program, where dozens of young chess enthusiasts gather to practice and compete.
His journey aligns with a broader chess renaissance. Chess.com reported a massive surge in interest, with over 57 million active users in 2023—an increase of 550% since early 2020. As more people transition from online to in-person play, chess clubs and tournaments are thriving.
A Match Against a Grandmaster
One of Advik’s most exciting moments came last year when he played against Grandmaster Hans Niemann, one of the top 20 players in the world. After the match, Niemann was impressed, asking for Advik’s name again and praising his talent.
Following that event, Advik won his section in a Dallas tournament, earning nearly $3,200 in prize money.
A Bright Future in Chess
Advik’s long-term goal is to earn a spot on the All-America Chess Team and eventually achieve the coveted Grandmaster title. But his dreams don’t stop there—he wants to become the youngest world champion in history.
For now, he continues to collect trophies and medals, refining his skills one move at a time. His younger sister, Annika, is also a rising star, ranked ninth in the U.S. for girls her age.
During a friendly match with a journalist, Advik easily won all three games, rating his opponent just a three out of ten. He even joked that his six-year-old sister could likely beat him, proving that chess talent runs in the family.
With his determination and skill, Advik Manchanda is well on his way to making history in the chess world.
