7-year-old prodigy makes history, earns spot to represent India at the World U-7 Chess Championship
MARGAO / KHORDHA, June 2025 — In a stunning feat of strategy and composure beyond his years, Evan Telles, a 7-year-old from Goa, has emerged as the National U-7 Open Chess Champion at the 38th National U-7 Chess Championship held at KT Global School, Barunei Temple Road, Khordha, Odisha.
Representing the Salcete Taluka Chess Association, Evan secured a phenomenal 8.5 points out of 9 rounds, defeating several top-seeded players, including a crucial win over tournament favorite Thumati Sreyansh in the eighth round. He capped his championship run with a final-round victory against Vaibhav Vishnu of Bihar, clinching gold outright.
Evan, a Grade 2 student at Manovikas School, Margao, has now earned the honor of representing India at the upcoming World U-7 Chess Championship, making him one of the youngest Goans to compete on the world stage in recent memory.
“Evan is a chess prodigy and we are confident he will rise to even greater heights,” said Ashesh Keni, Secretary of the Goa Chess Association. “After analyzing his games in the State Championship, we knew he had the potential to become a national champion.”
Goa Chess Association President Mahesh Candolkar hailed Evan’s victory as a proud moment for the state, especially after Goa clinched the silver in the same event last year. The win places Goa ahead of traditional chess powerhouses like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra in this category.
Evan is the son of Dr. Jean Telles and has been training under Coach Prakash Singh and his team at Chess Guru Chess Academy. His disciplined preparation, combined with strong parental and institutional support, has been instrumental in his development.
Members of the Goa Chess Association Executive Committee and the Salcete Taluka Chess Association expressed collective joy at the win, calling it a “golden moment” for Goan chess.
In the Girls U-7 category, Aradhya Desai of Goa gave a commendable performance, securing the 16th place among tough national competition—an encouraging result that signals more talent on the rise from the state.
With this national title under his belt, Evan Telles now sets his sights on the World U-7 Chess Championship later this year, where he will carry not just the hopes of Goa, but of the entire nation.
“This is just the beginning,” said his coach. “The world stage awaits.”
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