Ireland's only Woman Grandmaster ready for Chess Olympiad

Ireland's sole Woman Grandmaster, 20-year-old Trisha Kanyamarala, is preparing for the upcoming Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan. This prestigious event, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), occurs every two years and involves players from around the globe. Trisha, from Portlaoise in County Laois, achieved this title last year, marking her as the first Irish woman to do so.

To earn the Woman Grandmaster title, one must achieve a chess rating of 2,300 and perform at a 2,400 performance rating across three recognized tournaments. Chess ratings commence at 1,400, with the world's highest-rated player around 28,000.

Trisha's journey into chess began at the age of eight when her parents bought a chess set, prompting her to explore the game. Initially, she found the game complex, comparing it to draughts she had played in primary school. However, after watching others at a chess club in the Curragh, County Kildare, her interest grew. Her brother and father introduced her to the game and her curiosity only increased as she began winning prizes and tournaments.

By 2020, Trisha had earned her first major title: Ireland's first Woman International Master. Now, she will compete alongside her 21-year-old brother, Tarun, who is also an aspiring chess player and Ireland's youngest international master.

Trisha and Tarun are proud to represent Ireland at the Chess Olympiad, the third time for Trisha. Both siblings hope to inspire others to take up chess, emphasizing that persistence and practice are key to improvement. They also advocate for the recognition of chess as a sport in Ireland, as funding for the sport is currently lacking, affecting their ability to compete globally.

The siblings are excited for their upcoming journey to Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to compete against the world's best in the 2026 Chess Olympiad, an event that happens only once every two years.