PLEASANTON, Calif. - At just seven-years old, Varun Turaga is preparing to compete in the world chess championship.

The second-grader from Pleasanton is the second-best chess player in the country for his age group, having played in 50 tournaments all over the country.

How it started:

His father and brother often played chess during the pandemic to pass time indoors.

His proud older brother, Saisatvik, 12, said that’s when Varun took an interest.

"I’ve played since I was three-years old because I watched my brother and my dad play and then my brother took it seriously and trained me," said Varun.

That same year, he stumbled into his first tournament intended for Saisatvik, who goes by Sai, and won.

"That is when I realized he’s really something," said their mother Lavanya Karanan.

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