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\nTrisha Kanyamarala will be competing in her third Chess Olympiad<\/p>\n
Ireland’s first and only Woman Grandmaster is gearing up for the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan which gets under way next week.<\/p>\n
The event, which is organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), happens every two years and sees players from around the world take part.<\/p>\n
For 20-year-old Trisha Kanyamarala, from Portlaoise in Co Laois, it’s been a whirlwind 12 months, having been awarded the title of Woman Grandmaster in chess late last year – the first Irish woman to achieve the title.<\/p>\n
Gaining a Woman Grandmaster title, or ‘norm’, involves reaching a chess rating of 2,300, while also achieving a performance rating of 2,400 across three officially recognised tournaments.<\/p>\n
“The chess ratings start at 1,400 and the highest rated chess player in the world is around 2,800,” explained Ms Kanyamarala.<\/p>\n
“In my case, I didn’t get them one after the other. I got my first norm in 2020, before Covid.<\/p>\n
“It was a long journey from there to being woman grandmaster.<\/p>\n
“I thought it would be quick, but it was a long process,” she said.<\/p>\n
\nTrisha Kanyamarala will be competing in her third Chess Olympiad<\/p>\n
Ms Kanyamarala first began playing chess when she was eight years old. Complaining about being bored at weekends, her parents bought a chess board.<\/p>\n
“My dad introduced myself and my brother to chess. He taught us the basics and the rules of the game,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I had played draughts in primary school and, compared to that, it felt a bit complicated with so many pieces and so many different moves.”<\/p>\n
Initially, Ms Kanyamarala said she felt the game was not for her; however, her curiosity grew after watching others play at a chess club in the Curragh in Co Kildare.<\/p>\n
“My brother and dad used to go along every Saturday so I would just tag along,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I was really fascinated because there were so many people playing.<\/p>\n
“The organisers had chess cards too, which provided hints, and that felt like it was an easier way to get me into chess.”<\/p>\n
From there, Ms Kanyamarala said she began to enjoy the game: “I started doing chess puzzles and reading chess books and then I started winning some prizes and tournaments and I thought ‘I’ll give this a shot’.”<\/p>\n
![\"Trisha](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/0024f7ff-614.jpg\"\/)
\nTrisha Kanyamarala believes chess should be recognised as a sport in Ireland<\/p>\n
In 2020, Ms Kanyamarala was awarded her first major title when she became Ireland’s first Woman International Master in 2020, aged just 14.<\/p>\n
Now, as part of an Irish team, she will compete at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan next week, her third.<\/p>\n
“It’s very exciting. It’s a big chess tournament with more than 100 countries taking part and 200 teams.<\/p>\n
“I’m going to play on board one so I’m leading the Irish women’s team this year.”<\/p>\n
Alongside Ms Kanyamarala is her 21-year-old brother Tarun, who will also compete in Uzbekistan next week.<\/p>\n
Mr Kanyamarala is himself a former Irish chess champion and the youngest Irish person to achieve the title of International Master.<\/p>\n
He said he’s very proud of his sister and of the fact both will represent Ireland next week.<\/p>\n
“We both find joy in our wins, and I think that’s how we’ve grown together.”<\/p>\n
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