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Shawnak Shivakumar, an 8-year-old third grader at Laurel School Upper Campus in Menlo Park, is the new third-grade California state champion chess player.

Shawnak won a CalChess (part of the United States Chess Federation) tournament at the Alameda County Fairgrounds on Dec. 4.

Shawnak has been playing chess only since the summer of 2014 and participated in his first tournament a year later. He is one of the top 15 eight-year-olds nationally.

He lives in Menlo Park with his parents, Shiva and Devleena Shivakumar.

By Barbara Wood

By Barbara Wood

By Barbara Wood

Laurel School student Shawnak Shivakumar with the trophy he won Dec. 4 for becoming the third-grade California state champion chess player. (Photo by Shiva Shivakumar.)
Laurel School student Shawnak Shivakumar with the trophy he won Dec. 4 for becoming the third-grade California state champion chess player. (Photo by Shiva Shivakumar.)

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2 Comments

  1. Congratulations Shawnak for making us and the entire city of MP proud. Proud moment for parents Shiva and Devleena who have been investing a lot of time and energy to provide Shawnak every support to be successful!

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