Guwahati: Viraj Sarawgi, an exceptional Grade 5 student from Royal Global School in Guwahati, made a remarkable debut at the Bangkok Rapid Chess Championship, held on Sunday at Kings College, Bang Phong Phang, Bangkok.
Competing in the Under-12 category, Viraj secured the silver medal with an outstanding 5.5 points out of 6 rounds, showcasing his talent on an international stage.
The prestigious tournament saw participation from around 250 players across seven countries, offering a highly competitive environment for young chess prodigies.
Despite entering as an unrated player, Viraj surprised many by defeating two experienced FIDE-rated opponents – Kultungkijsaree Poom (1502) and Juntongjin Prin (1496).
His only loss came against the eventual tournament champion, Ayan Mukherjee (1596).
Drawing inspiration from Grandmaster D. Gukesh, Viraj aspires to follow in his footsteps and achieve his dream of becoming a world chess champion.
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Under the expert guidance of renowned coaches Durga Nagesh Guttula and Shrikanth Malladi, Viraj has honed his skills, impressing both coaches with his determination, sharp tactics, and relentless fighting spirit.
“Viraj is a natural talent with a fearless approach to the game. His ability to challenge experienced, rated players with confidence is a testament to his potential. We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and are confident that he has a bright future ahead,” said coach Durga Nagesh Guttula.
Viraj is now gearing up for his next major challenge, the Abu Dhabi Junior Chess Championship in August, where he aims to continue his impressive winning streak and represent India on the global chess stage.
