Nine-year-old Ilaan Shafeek from Indian School Bausher in Oman has made history by clinching the Under-9 title at the Indian National School Chess Championship. The Class 4 student scored eight points in the 14th edition of the tournament held in Guwahati, Assam. His victory marks the first time an Omani student has won this prestigious national event.
Ilaan Shafeek, a nine-year-old Class 4 student at Indian School Bausher (ISB) in Muscat, achieved a milestone by winning the Under-9 category at the 14th Indian National School Chess Championship. The event took place from December 27 to 31, 2025, at the Sarusajai Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam, drawing participants from 28 Indian states. Known for its high competitiveness among school-level tournaments, the championship saw Ilaan secure eight points through seven wins and two draws, showcasing his composure, positional understanding, and maturity beyond his years.
Upon returning to Muscat, Ilaan was greeted warmly by teachers, coaches, friends, and family from ISB. His parents, Shafeek and Nashija Shafeek, originally from Thrissur district in Kerala and residing in Oman, thanked the school for its support in fostering both academics and sports. They particularly praised principal Prabhakaran for promoting excellence in these areas. Ilaan's chess coach, Megdi from Egypt and associated with the Chess Master Academy, received special recognition for his structured training that honed Ilaan's competitive edge.
This triumph builds on Ilaan's recent successes. In December 2025, he became Oman's youngest Classical Fide-rated champion by winning a Fide-rated Open Tournament with 54 players from eight countries. He also claimed gold in his category at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival, boasting a current international Fide rating of 1767—the highest for his age group in Oman. In November 2025, representing Oman at the Arab Club Chess Championship, he drew against Syrian International Master Talal al Zaim and defeated Palestinian coach Ahmed Nidal.
Chess talent runs in the family; siblings Sinan Shafeek from Indian School Seeb and Izaan Shafeek from ISB are CBSE National School bronze medallists, while Eshal Shafeek excels in art. Ilaan's accomplishment brings pride to ISB, the Indian community in Oman, and the nation's growing chess scene.
