Tara Tamilselvan, a nine-year-old pupil in Year 5 at a Loughborough’s Fairfield Prep School, has been making headlines in the UK chess scene after a remarkable run in the 2025 UK Open Blitz Championships.
Tara’s journey began at the regional qualifier, where she was the top-performing girl and earned a spot in the highly competitive Women’s Final. Only 16 women nationwide qualify for the final, making her achievement especially impressive for someone so young.
Last month, Tara took her place among 16 finalists, including ten of the country’s top female chess masters. Despite being the youngest competitor, she held her own, winning two games—including a victory over a Woman FIDE Master—and drawing two others in the 15-round tournament.
Picture: Fairfield Prep School
“It was a fantastic experience for Tara,” said her mother, Shalini Sathiyaseelan. “She learned so much and gained confidence that will help her in future competitions.”
Head of Fairfield Prep, Andrew Earnshaw, said Tara’s performance was “extraordinary” and highlighted her as a role model for other young players at the school.
Tara’s achievement is a rare accomplishment and a sign of great things to come in her chess career.
