Udaipur's Kiyana Parihar Creates History, Wins Bronze for India at World Blitz Chess Championship 2025

Udaipur : MDS Senior Secondary School, Udaipur, and its Director Dr. Shailendra Somani have reason to celebrate as one of their shining stars, Kiyana Parihar, a 9-year-old chess prodigy, has created history by clinching the bronze medal at the prestigious FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2025 held in Rhodes, Greece. She becomes the first player from Rajasthan to secure a medal in a global chess tournament—an achievement of national pride and regional significance.

Outstanding Performance on the Global Stage

Kiyana, a Grade 5 student of MDS School, demonstrated remarkable composure and skill by scoring 9 out of 11 points, defeating top contenders from around the globe. Her victories against competitors from Poland, Belarus, Romania, Vietnam, Tunisia, Ukraine, and other countries solidified her position among the world’s top under-10 female chess players. She won the bronze medal after a tiebreak with the second-place competitor, showcasing her mental strength and strategic brilliance.

The championship, held from April 12 to 18, 2025, saw participation from over 430 players representing 48 countries in both Rapid and Blitz formats. Kiyana’s success in such a competitive field is a testament to her dedication, discipline, and high-level preparation.

A Legacy of National and International Medals

Kiyana Parihar has a rich history of excellence in chess:

• Silver Medal, National School Chess Championship (U-7), 2022

• Gold (Standard), Silver (Rapid), and Triple Team Gold at Asian Youth Chess Championship 2023, UAE

• Team Gold, Blitz (U-10), Asian Youth Chess Championship 2024, Kazakhstan

• 9th Place, FIDE World Cup 2024, Batumi, Georgia (U-10 Girls)

• National U-9 Girls Champion, December 2024

In 2025, she will represent India at several international tournaments, including the FIDE World Cup in Georgia, Asian Youth Chess Championship in Thailand, the World Cadet Chess Championship, and the Commonwealth Chess Championship.

Future Aspirations and Support

Speaking about her achievement, Kiyana said,
“Winning the bronze medal at the World Blitz Chess Championship is a moment of immense pride for me. Representing India on the global stage is an honor. I want to inspire others to chase their dreams and work hard to make India proud. My next goal is to become the World Champion.”

Kiyana’s parents expressed heartfelt gratitude to Wonder Cement and NEEV Society for their unwavering support in nurturing her dream. Her coach, Hemal Thanki, praised her determination and believes she will continue breaking new records in the chess world.

Rising Star of Indian Chess

Kiyana’s journey is a source of inspiration for young athletes across the nation, proving that with perseverance and passion, age is no barrier to success. Her victory has not only brought glory to India but also highlighted the potential of emerging talent from Rajasthan.