At just 10 years old, Keya Jha has done something incredible in the world of chess. She defeated a grandmaster and set a new U.S. record! Yes, you heard that right. This young chess prodigy made history by becoming the youngest American girl ever to beat a grandmaster in a classical chess game.
When And Where
Keya Jha achieved this amazing feat at the 5th Annual Joe Yun Memorial Tournament held in Akron, Ohio. The tournament took place from August 8 to August 10, 2025. In the final round, she faced off against Grandmaster Bryan Smith, a highly experienced player with a rating much higher than hers. Despite being the underdog, Keya Jha won the game and secured first place in the tournament with an impressive score of 4.5 out of 5 points.
Keya Jha Breaks Carissa Yip’s Record
What makes this even more special is that Keya Jha set this record at just 10 years, nine months, and two days old, beating the previous American record held by IM Carissa Yip in 2014. Even more remarkably, she accomplished this feat just hours after another 10-year-old girl, Bodhana Sivanandan, broke a similar record in the British Chess Championship. It was a day full of young chess talent making history around the world!
The game itself was full of drama. Bryan Smith was actually in a winning position, but he lost on time. He mistook the tournament’s time control rules due to an old flyer and thought he had more time to finish the game than he actually did. As a result, his clock ran out, and Keya won on time. Even Smith called the loss “devastating.” But in chess, a win is a win, and Keya Jha’s resistance under pressure was impressive enough to make her opponent slip.
Not Just An Ordinary Win
This victory at the Joe Yun Memorial Tournament wasn’t just about making a record. Keya’s win earned her $2,000 and 79 rating points, helping her get closer to becoming a National Master. Her next goal is to become a FIDE Master, a significant milestone in the chess world. She’s set to compete at the Ohio Chess Congress later this month.
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Keya Jha’s story is inspiring because it shows that with dedication, talent, and support, age is just a number. She’s already making headlines, and we can expect to see much more from this young chess star in the coming years. So, keep an eye out! Keya Jha is not only breaking records but also shaping the future of American chess.
Also read: Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes The Youngest Girl To Defeat A Grandmaster At 10
