Thirteen-year-old Kai Hanache stunned the chess world at the UK Blitz Championship qualifier by defeating three grandmasters and three international masters. Competing in the Golders Green qualifier, Hanache’s impressive run, which saw him outperform seasoned players, ended just shy of qualification for the November finals, finishing half a point behind the final qualifying position.
The event was part of a growing trend in the UK, where interest in one-day blitz tournaments is surging. These tournaments offer players the opportunity to compete in officially ranked events without the financial burden of overnight accommodation, and they give both amateurs and juniors a rare chance to challenge established masters.
The Golders Green qualifier attracted an impressive lineup, including former world semi-finalist Jonathan Speelman and England’s youngest-ever grandmaster, Shreyas Royal. However, it was Hanache, a relative newcomer in the competitive scene, who stole the spotlight. Despite starting with a modest rating of 2037, Hanache’s performance was nothing short of extraordinary, with a tournament performance rating of 2448, which would be considered international master level.
One of the most notable victories was his defeat of British Championship runner-up Stuart Conquest. Conquest, who later described Hanache as “well-mannered” and a “quick thinker,” explained that the young player’s aggressive style and purposeful moves led to his eventual victory. “He simply outplayed me,” Conquest admitted after the game.
Though he eventually finished with 11.5/15, just half a point behind third-place finisher Lorin D’Costa, Hanache’s performance is being hailed as a breakthrough in junior chess. His remarkable blitz rating gain of 291 points, which is expected to break records, shows just how much of an impact he had at the event.
Despite his youth, Hanache is no stranger to the blitz format, having earned a silver medal in the 2022 World Under-10 Blitz Championship. His current blitz performance, however, shows significant growth, as he displayed both speed and accuracy against some of the best in the world.
Hanache’s rise in the chess world is a reminder of how talent can emerge from unexpected places. With four UK Blitz qualifiers still to go this weekend, it is clear that Hanache’s impressive showing will inspire more young players to step up in the competitive world of chess.
