The 2025/26 season has turned into a remarkable chapter in Anish Pujar’s young chess journey. At just eight years old, Anish has not only won the Bayerische Schachjugend Rapid-Wertung in the U8 category, but has followed that achievement by winning his first-ever U10 tournament — the 35. Bamberger Jugend Open.

The Grand Prix circuit spanned seven high-profile tournaments across Bavaria: Bamberg, Neumarkt, Deisenhofen, Schweinfurt, Postbauer-Heng, Garching, and Ergolding. In each event where he took to the board, Anish made his presence felt:

• Claimed 1st place in Bamberg (250 points)

• Claimed 1st place in Neumarkt (250 points)

• Claimed 1st place in Deisenhofen (250 points)

• Claimed 1st place in Schweinfurt (250 points)

• Claimed 1st place in Postbauer-Heng (250 points)

• Claimed 1st place in Ergolding (250 points)

• Placed among the top tier in Garching (92 points)

With top-tournament scores counting toward the final standings, Anish accumulated a flawless maximum score of 1,000 points, securing the 1st place finish in the state of Bavaria. Ahead of the start of the 35th Bamberger Jugend Open on the morning of October 3, 2026, Anish proudly walked up to the podium to collect his well-deserved overall championship trophy, celebrating months of unwavering focus and relentless preparation

Stepping Up: Debut in the Under-10 Category

For the first time, he stepped up to compete in an Under-10 category tournament, facing an older age group. The 35th Bamberger Jugend Open U10 was played over seven rounds of rapid chess, with 20 minutes per player and a field of 27 players.

Facing an experienced field of older competitors across seven hard-fought rounds, Anish did not miss a beat. Displaying sharp tactical vision, stubborn defensive tenacity, and swift conversion skills, his tournament run was nothing short of commanding

He finished the tournament undefeated, scoring 6 points from 7 games — five wins and two draws — to take 1st place in the U10 category. His results were especially impressive considering that this was his first tournament competing in the U10 age group.

For Anish, the journey continues — but these achievements already mark a memorable milestone in his young chess career.