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Mehmet Wins Blitz Gold

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CCL’s Mehmet Yilanli Wins Blitz Gold Medal at 2025 FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships

Columbus, OH – October 8, 2025

CCL Chess proudly announces that Mehmet Yilanli, an eight-year-old chess prodigy from New Albany, Ohio, has won the U8 Blitz Gold Medal at the 2025 FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships. Mehmet represented Team USA as the official U8 delegate, distinguishing himself as one of the world’s brightest young chess players.

The prestigious championship, held from September 18 to October 1, 2025, gathered 842 young competitors from 88 countries across six age and gender categories. Mehmet stood out as the only U8 player representing the United States in this global event.

A Rising Star in Classical and Blitz Chess

Mehmet qualified for the World Cadet Championships through his US Chess rating, earning the official spot to represent the nation. In the classical format played under FIDE’s 90-minute time control with a 30-second increment, he entered as the 8th seed among 150 players worldwide.

After an impressive start, Mehmet scored 7 points in his first 8 rounds, remaining undefeated and co-leading the tournament. Despite a narrow loss to the top seed in Round 9, he finished with a strong 8/11 final score, placing 6th overall. His only two defeats were against the eventual top two finishers, marking one of the finest performances by an American in the U8 division.

This is the second-best result in CCL Chess history at the World Cadet / World Youth level, following Chris Shen’s bronze medal in the U8 classical games at the 2012 FIDE World Youth Chess Championships in Maribor, Slovenia.

In the Blitz Championship, held midway through the event, Mehmet faced 371 players in a single-day, 11-round competition that included grandmasters and international masters. After six hours of fast-paced play, Mehmet achieved 57th place overall and 1st place in the U8 category, earning a gold medal and €100 prize. His triumph marked the first gold medal in a world-level blitz event in CCL Chess history.

A Legacy of Excellence

The FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships is recognized as one of the most prestigious youth chess events in the world, featuring separate open and girls’ sections for ages U8, U10, and U12. Team USA finished with one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the classical games, ranking third overall among 88 countries and federations.

Since 2007, CCL Chess has educated top-tier youth talent who go on to represent the United States in global competition. Mehmet’s achievement exemplifies CCL’s tradition of developing not only skilled competitors but also confident, disciplined thinkers who embody the spirit of excellence.

“Mehmet’s success is a reflection of his hard work, passion, and the supportive community that surrounds him,” said Jeff Shen, director of CCL Chess. “He has made new history for our program and inspired countless young players to dream big.”

About CCL Chess

Founded in 2007, CCL Chess is a premier training organization dedicated to nurturing young chess talents across the United States. With the legacy of national champions and international medalists, CCL Chess continues to shape the next generation of chess leaders through expert coaching, mentorship, and a culture of excellence.

Media Contact:
CCL Chess
Email: 614chessTD@gmail.com

Vikrant’s Art

I want to introduce one of our students, Vikrant Sudhakar, who aspires to become prodigious in both art and chess. The latest entry in Alan's Ramblings gives some background information on Prodigies, Chess, and Art. Vikrant's dad said:

Vikrant has been drawing since his age of 5. He was fascinated by emergency responding vehicles as most other kids and he started drawing them like fire trucks, police cars and ambulances. That has evolved his talent to try with other things like aero planes, military vehicles, monuments, maps, cars and famous structures. He spends a quite a lot of time in drawing and to add details to them.

Vikrant's drawing skill has been recognized by the Ohio State department and he has earned a gifted identification in visual and performing arts.

Most importantly, Vikrant has got this drawing skills on his own and does not go for any coaching.

Following are some of Vikrant's creations to exhibit his gifted talent.

Student Spotlight

Mehmet & Aanya: Two Bright Stars Lighting Up the Future of Chess

Mehmet and Aanya are proof that the future of chess shines brightly, and that with heart, effort, and community, young players can achieve extraordinary things both on and off the board.

The world of scholastic chess is filled with talent, but every so often, two young players rise to the top in ways that inspire everyone around them. At CCL Chess School, two extraordinary prodigies, Mehmet Yilanli and Aanya Parul Karthikeyan are rewriting what dedication, resilience, and passion can achieve at such young ages.

Mehmet Yilanli: From National Champion to World Stage

At just seven years old, Mehmet Yilanli of New Albany, Ohio, has already made a name for himself on both the national and international chess stage. Introduced to chess by his father at age four, Mehmet quickly revealed his natural talent. By age five, he was already sweeping local tournaments, including the Ohio Kindergarten State Championship.

His rise has been nothing short of spectacular. At age six, he became the US Kindergarten Champion with a flawless 7-0 score. By 2024, he was consistently ranked among the top two players in the U.S. for his age group, and in April 2025, US Chess selected him as the official U.S. Under-8 representative for the World Cadet Championship in Kazakhstan scheduled in September 2025.

In May 2025, Mehmet captured another national crown at SuperNationals VIII, sweeping the K-1 Championship section with a flawless 7-0 score. He followed this with an impressive top 9 finish at the FIDE World Cup Cadets U8 in Georgia, where he traveled under the care of extended family rather than his parents, proving himself against some of the world’s strongest peers. Most recently, he competed in the Premier Section (U2300) of the Washington International, where his USCF rating soared past 1900, a new milestone for a first grader.

Behind Mehmet’s success is his tireless work ethic, his coach Life Master Walker Griggs, and the guidance of CCL Chess School founded by National Master Alan Casden. With the support of his family and community, Mehmet’s story is not just about winning games, it’s about the discipline, focus, and resilience of a child who carries himself with the character of a future champion.

Aanya Parul Karthikeyan: Hard Work Meets Breakthrough Success

At nine years old, Aanya Parul Karthikeyan is proving that chess greatness can be earned through sheer dedication and perseverance. In just three years of competitive play, she has skyrocketed from beginner to one of the nation’s strongest young female players.

Between August 2024 and August 2025, Aanya entered an incredible 50 tournaments, raising her rating from 1057 to 1721. Her efforts paid off at the 2025 Cleveland Open, where she tied for 2nd place in the U1800 section, achieving her peak rating. Today, she ranks an outstanding 14th nationally among girls her age.

Aanya’s resilience is perhaps her most inspiring quality. At the 2024 North American Youth Chess Championship (NAYCC), she placed near the bottom of her section. But instead of discouragement, that experience fueled her determination. Just eight months later, she returned stronger at the 2025 NAYCC in Canada, scoring 6 out of 9, clinching the bronze medal, and earning the prestigious Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title at the age of 9, a feat that broke CCL’s record previously held by Maggie Feng.

As CCL director Jeff Shen put it, “She needs to see a bigger world.” And indeed, Aanya is showing that with courage, persistence, and a willingness to learn from setbacks, the bigger world of chess is hers to conquer.

The Bigger Picture: Family, Growth, and Legacy

Behind both Mehmet and Aanya’s success stories are families who have embraced the challenges and rewards of raising chess prodigies. Supporting a young chess talent requires time, resources, and sacrifice, but it also brings families closer together, teaching resilience, patience, and teamwork. For children, chess is more than a game; it is a powerful teacher of focus, problem-solving, and emotional strength.

CCL Chess has a strong track record in international competitions at both continental and world cadet/youth events. Now, the new generation of students, including Mehmet and Aanya, continue that shining legacy, showing that the future of chess is in bright and capable hands.

Together, Mehmet and Aanya embody the spirit of CCL Chess where discipline meets passion, and where young players learn not only how to win games, but also how to build character, confidence, and a lifelong love for learning.

 

Previous issue of Student Spotlight

CCL Students on the US Chess July Top 100 List by Age and Gender

Congratulations to our dedicated students, graduates, and alumni who have earned a place on the US Chess July Top 100 list by age and gender. Published monthly, this list recognizes the top over-the-board (OTB) regular ratings across the country. It serves as an honor roll celebrating the hard work, dedication, and accomplishments of outstanding chess players.
OverallRankNameRating
Age 72Yilanli, Mehmet (30489673)1867
22Lai, Ryan (31354152)1328
33Zhu, Kaison (31414116)1262
Age 947Parul Karthikeyan, Aanya (30670375)1721
Age 1149Chung, Maxwell (30555237)1907
Age 1236Chin, Zee (16965808)2023
74Mukherjee, Sathvik (30065329)1921
84Srinivasan, Shiv Karthik (17181917)1891
98Rong, Mirabella (30475163)1855
Age 1362Zhang, Louis (16785655)2004
Age 1594Kunapuli, Siddarth Sriaditya (16368693)2019
Age 1662Gu, Minghao (16148233)2109
Age 182Wang, Jason (15162675)2564
57Wei, James (15330365)2120
93Kim, Dae San (15015721)2004
99Wang, Matt (15728146)1987
GirlsRankNameRating
Age 782Parul Karthikeyan, Amyra (31835508)545
Age 910Parul Karthikeyan, Aanya (30670375)1721
Age 1216Rong, Mirabella (30475163)1855
Under 2197Cheng, Emma (14989783)1890

Arjun Sai’s Hot Streak on the Board!

What a July for Arjun Sai Kommineni!

This young and passionate chess kid has been making waves across the board with back-to-back tournament performances that are nothing short of remarkable. After a strong showing at the Chicago Class Tournament, where he shared 3rd place in his section and also claimed an under-class prize in blitz, Arjun returned to Ohio and dominated the Cincinnati Emotional Chess July (U1601 section) with a perfect 4-0 score when he swept the field and earned first place for the very first time in his tournament career.

And here’s the kicker: his rating has jumped an incredible 255 points from 1236 to 1491 in July. Arjun’s growth is not only rapid but inspiring as well because he has only been playing competitive chess for less than 8 months, since November!

Competing outside Columbus, Arjun demonstrated sharp tactical awareness and fearless play in Cincinnati:

  • In Round 1, his opponent blundered with 21...Rxf2??, and Arjun immediately punished it with the crisp tactic:
    22. Qxf8+! taking advantage of the exposed king and weak back rank.

 

  • In Round 4, he spotted White’s slip with 30. a4??, and responded with 30...Bd5+!! 31. Kg3 f4+! a brilliant fork. Even if White had played 31. Ke2, Bc4+! would have created another winning fork.

In Round 3, Arjun showed that tactics aren’t everything. He converted an even endgame into a win, using subtle pressure and patience which is a key skill many developing players overlook.

 

Of course, every tournament also brings valuable learning moments. In Round 2 game, Arjun tried to trap a bishop with 20...g5?!, missing White’s counterplay opportunity with 21. e6 (which, luckily, his opponent also missed). The better move? 20...Bg4!  more solid and positionally safe.

These are the types of small decisions that build long-term strength and Arjun is learning fast.

Arjun’s breakout results reflect a strong combination of:

  • Blunder-spotting instincts

  • Tactical alertness

  • Composure in even positions and endgames

  • Willingness to learn and bounce back

  • And a touch of tournament luck never hurts!

Congratulations to Arjun, his supportive family, and his coach for this amazing stretch. His rapid improvement proves what’s possible when talent meets dedication, even in less than a year of competitive play.

So what’s next for Arjun and the other CCL rising stars? Could Columbus be the next battlefield, or will they continue testing the skills in new regions? We’ll be watching and can’t wait to share more tactical gems and milestones from their journey.

Stay tuned for more highlights soon!