MUSCAT: Ilaan Shafeek, a Class 4 student of Indian School Bausher (ISB), has created history by becoming the first student from Oman to win the Indian National School Chess Championship.
The 14th edition of the championship was held at the Sarusahjai Indoor Stadium, Guwahati, Assam, from December 27 to 31, 2025 with participants from 28 states of India.
Competing in the Under-9 category, Ilaan delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 8 points by winning seven games and drawing two, to clinch the national title.
The Indian National School Chess Championship is regarded as one of the most competitive school-level tournaments in India. Ilaan impressed throughout the event with his composure, positional understanding and maturity beyond his age.
Following his achievement, Ilaan received a warm welcome on his return to Muscat by teachers, coaches, friends and family members from Indian School Bausher.
His parents expressed their gratitude to Indian School Bausher for its continuous support and encouragement. Special appreciation was extended to the school principal, Prabhakaran, for promoting both academic and sporting excellence.
Special recognition was also given to Ilaan’s chess coach and Chess Master Academy coach, Megdi (Egypt), whose structured training and mentorship played a key role in strengthening Ilaan’s competitive skills.
CLASSICAL CHAMPION
Earlier in December 2025, Ilaan also won a Fide-rated Classical Open Tournament in Oman featuring 54 players from eight countries, becoming the youngest Classical Fide-rated champion in the history of Oman.
He further won the gold medal in his category at the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. His current international Fide rating is 1767, the highest in his age category in Oman.
In November 2025, Ilaan represented Oman at the Arab Club Chess Championship, where he drew against Syrian International Master Talal al Zaim and defeated Palestinian coach Ahmed Nidal.
Chess excellence runs in the family, with his siblings Sinan Shafeek (Indian School Seeb) and Izaan Shafeek (Indian School Bausher) being CBSE National School bronze medallists. Another sibling, Eshal Shafeek, is a talented young artist.
Ilaan is the son of Shafeek and Nashija Shafeek, natives of Thrissur district, Kerala. The family is based in Oman.
At just nine years old, Ilaan Shafeek’s historic achievement has brought pride to his school, the Indian community and the wider sporting community in Oman, highlighting the rapid growth of chess in the country.
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