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Tamizh Amudhan defeats world No.7 Keymer in Freestyle Friday online blitz amid power outage
Eight-year-old Tamizh Amudhan defeated world No.7 Vincent Keymer in an online blitz during the Freestyle Friday tournament, despite a power outage and a dying laptop. The moment, captured by his father, highlights Tamizh’s rapid rise in chess and his family's sacrifices to support his training.
Why It Matters
The win demonstrates extraordinary resilience and rapid progression in a child prodigy, with potential implications for records in the youngest players and broader attention to grassroots chess development in India.
Timeline
3 Events
Commonwealth and World Youth Championships scheduled; sponsorship noted
May 3, 2026
The article notes Tamizh is slated to play the Commonwealth Championship followed by the World Youth Championship, with Hatsun Chess Academy funding his tournament expenses. It also mentions his rapid rise, including crossing 2000 Elo in the under-9 category and becoming world No.1 for that age group.
Tamizh defeats world No.7 Keymer during Freestyle Friday
May 1, 2026
During the Freestyle Friday online blitz, after a power outage at around 6pm and with a laptop battery at 48 percent, Tamizh used his mother’s mobile hotspot to play. In one of four games, playing Black, he defeated Vincent Keymer, who had a near-winning line on move 10 with 10.Bxh7 but castled instead; Keymer resigned after Tamizh launched a sequence of attacking ideas.
Family decision to prioritise Tamizh's chess
May 2025
Around May 2025, Tamizh's family decided to prioritise his chess, resulting in the family living 350 kilometres apart: Tamizh and his mother in Thiruthangal, while his father and sister remained in Kallakurichi.