Our CCL Chess students continue to impress, seizing every opportunity to showcase their talent, determination, and love for the game. At this past weekend’s Cleveland Open, our players delivered strong performances across multiple sections from intermediate to master level and brought home well-earned victories.
Congratulations to the following prize winners:
- Aryan Balyan 3.5 points, new peak rating, $325 prize (Major Section, FIDE Rated)
- Maxwell Chung 4.0 points, undefeated, new peak rating, $350 prize (U2100 Section)
- Aanya Parul Karthikeyan 4.0 points, new peak rating, $400 prize (U1800 Section)
- Het Patel 3.5 points, $100 prize (U1800 Section)
- Soham Gupta 4.0 points, undefeated, new peak rating, $200 prize (U1200 Section)
Spotlight: National Master Aryan Balyan
We are thrilled to celebrate CCL’s newest US Chess National Master, Aryan Balyan! A college junior, Aryan has been a long-time standout in scholastic chess, winning titles such as the Queen City Classic and the Ohio K-12 Grade Level Championships. This spring, Aryan studied abroad in Spain, continuing to explore and develop his chess skills internationally. Upon returning to Ohio, his rating surpassed 2200, officially earning him the prestigious National Master title, an outstanding milestone for any American chess player.
Just a month later, Aryan competed in the Cleveland Open, entering the final round undefeated and leaving with a new peak rating and a cash prize. Earlier this year, he led his university team to victory at the 2025 Pan American Intercollegiate Championship in Charlotte, NC. His journey reflects both a deep commitment to the game and the value of consistent, long-term effort.
Rising Star: Aanya Parul Karthikeyan
A special shout-out to 10-year-old Aanya Parul Karthikeyan, whose determination and growth have been nothing short of extraordinary. After an incredible performance at the Cleveland Open, she reached a new peak rating of 1721, a 700-point increase in just one year! This makes her the fastest-growing chess girl in Ohio.
Over the past 12 months, Aanya has competed in 41 regular-rated tournaments, including an impressive eight tournaments in May alone. Her tireless effort, focus, and resilience make her a role model for young players everywhere. I’m reminded of CCL founder and coach Alan’s words: “Focus on the experience rather than the result.” Aanya and her family embrace that philosophy, and her success is a testament to the power of perseverance and a growth mindset.
If you ever feel discouraged by a tough tournament, think of Aanya—her journey is proof that dedication and passion truly pay off.
Undefeated: Maxwell Chung & Soham Gupta
Big congratulations to Maxwell Chung and Soham Gupta, who both finished the tournament undefeated, reaching impressive new peak ratings!
Maxwell has been on a remarkable winning streak since the MOTCF event in March. He broke through the 1800 rating mark in April, and just two months later, reached 1900, a rapid rise that reflects his consistent hard work and focus. At this pace, Maxwell is on track to cross 2000 by the end of the year, if not sooner!
Soham, while not competing as frequently as some of his peers, continues to make steady and promising progress. Since MOTCF, he has shown strong potential, and his next big milestone, reaching a 1400 rating, is well within reach. We’re excited to see where his chess journey takes him next!
Strong Finish: Het Patel’s Comeback
We also want to recognize Het Patel for his impressive comeback after a tough loss in Round 3. He bounced back with determination and finished the tournament strong, earning a prize and showcasing excellent sportsmanship and resilience. Het’s performance is a great reminder that perseverance and a positive attitude can lead to success, even after setbacks.
About the Cleveland Open
Organized by the Continental Chess Association (CCA), the Cleveland Open is one of Ohio’s most prominent chess tournaments, known for its classic time control and multi-day format. Now in its 18th year, the 2025 edition attracted over 190 players, including Grandmaster and International Masters from across the country.
We are proud of our CCL chess students for their outstanding efforts and accomplishments. The future of CCL chess is bright, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
US Chess Rating Report of Tournament
