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
