From lockdown boredom to international success, young chess prodigy Lucas Zheng is making waves for Wales! 🎉 At just 6, he picked up chess and quickly proved he was more than just a curious kid. Fast forward to today, and this strategic genius has represented Wales in chess tournaments across Europe, competing against top talents from 48 countries. 🌍
Lucas discovered chess during the pandemic when his dad Chen, seeking educational activities during school closures, introduced him to the game. With a love for Lego and puzzles, Lucas instantly connected with chess, and it rapidly transformed from a hobby into a passionate pursuit. By the age of 7, he joined the Welsh National Junior Chess Squad, and he’s been a force on the board ever since.
His impressive achievements include being the U9 Welsh Junior Chess Champion in 2023 and recently snagging the U10 Challenger Champion title in the Delancey UK Chess Challenge 2025. 🏆 This year, Lucas took part in the prestigious U10 European Youth Chess Championship in Montenegro, showcasing his talents on an international stage.
Lucas, now a Year 6 student at St John’s College in Cardiff, remains committed to honing his skills, practising chess for at least an hour daily. He credits chess with enhancing his problem-solving skills and academic performance, proving that the game is about far more than just kings and queens. 🏰
His aspirations aim high, with dreams of becoming a world-class player like his idol Hikaru Nakamura. But for now, Lucas relishes taking on any challenger at his school’s chess club. With each game, he’s not just representing his school or Wales—he’s representing the strategic brilliance and future of chess itself! ♟️🙌
Watch this space, because Lucas is just getting started! 🌟