Young Chess Prodigy Beats Grandmaster in Historic Match
In a remarkable achievement that has captured the attention of the chess community worldwide, Keya Jha, a 10-year-old student from Berlin Middle School in Delaware, Ohio, has become the youngest female player in United States history to defeat a Grandmaster in a rated, over-the-board tournament game.
At just 10 years, 9 months, and 2 days old, Keya reached this milestone during the prestigious 5th Annual Joe Yun Memorial Tournament, held from August 8 to 10, 2025, in Akron, Ohio. Displaying both composure and tactical brilliance far beyond her years, she finished the tournament with 4.5 out of 5 possible points, securing her historic victory in the final round against seasoned Grandmaster Bryan Smith.
Breaking Records — National and Global
While the win against a Grandmaster was already an extraordinary feat, it also came with a surprising twist: Keya’s triumph made her the second-youngest female player in the world ever to achieve this, narrowly missing the top spot by mere hours. On the same day, the current world record holder also defeated a Grandmaster in another tournament elsewhere, making August 10, 2025, an unprecedented day for women’s chess history.
Her performance at the Joe Yun Memorial drew admiration from both players and coaches. Organizers noted her unwavering focus, sharp calculation, and fearless approach against far more experienced opponents.
Early Start and Dedicated Training
Keya’s chess journey began at the age of four and a half, when she was first introduced to the game. Recognizing her talent early, her parents enrolled her in structured training under coach Jeffrey Barnett and later with Grandmaster Dimitry Gordievsky, whose guidance helped refine her attacking style and deep positional understanding.
By the time she was seven, Keya was already competing in official tournaments. Her rise through the ranks has been steady and disciplined, a testament to years of deliberate practice, consistent study, and participation in competitive events across Ohio and beyond.
Beyond Chess — A Multi-Talented Young Achiever
Keya’s achievements are not limited to the 64 squares. She is academically accelerated, currently a 7th grader despite being just 10 years old, showing that her intellectual capabilities extend far beyond sports.
Outside chess, Keya:
- Competes in table tennis at a high level, ranking as the only girl in her age category from Ohio with 791 official points.
- Holds a black belt in Taekwondo from the American Taekwondo Association.
- Actively participates in academic and extracurricular competitions.
- Enjoys reading, watching animated series, and engaging in creative hobbies.
Her well-rounded skill set reflects a balance between mental discipline, physical activity, and artistic interests — an approach that her family and coaches say contributes greatly to her success.
Significance for Women’s Chess
Keya’s historic win comes at a time when women’s chess is seeing renewed global interest and support. Her victory serves as an inspiration for young girls to enter competitive chess, a field traditionally dominated by men. Coaches at the Columbus Chess Academy, where Keya often trains, believe her success will encourage more schools and clubs to invest in youth chess programs.
What’s Next?
Following her victory, Keya is expected to participate in more high-level tournaments, both nationally and internationally. While her immediate focus will be on continuing her studies and training, there is growing speculation that she could soon compete for titles such as Woman International Master (WIM) or Woman Grandmaster (WGM) — and perhaps even higher.
Given her current trajectory, many in the chess community believe Keya could become one of the most influential American chess players of her generation.
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