Sohum Lohia earns his final IM norm
Sohum Lohia is a 15-year-old chess prodigy from England. At the Grandmaster group of the Southend Easter Chess Festival 2025 Sohum Lohia finished with a bronze medal, added 15,3 elo points, and most importantly earned his final IM norm.
Sohum Lohia commented for Chessdom, “My main goal is to keep enjoying chess. I would also like to make improvements in the areas I’m currently struggling in. I would like to thank my family for believing in me and my Coaches for pushing me.” His mother Aarti Lohia noted, “I am very happy for Sohum. It hasn’t been an easy road for him because we moved to the UK when Sohum was 7. It was extremely difficult navigating the chess ecosystem in the UK as there was hardly any information or help available from chess parents or the federation. Despite the ups and downs Sohum stuck to chess and worked hard. His success comes from his focus and determination.”
Sohum Lohia – a rising chess star
Profile: International Master (IM)
Sohum Lohia
Age: 15 | Nationality: Indian | Title: International Master (2025)
Sohum Lohia is a 15-year-old chess prodigy from England and one of some 35 International Masters under the age of 16 worldwide. With a FIDE rating on the rise and a string of successes to his name, he is fast becoming a name to watch in the world of competitive chess.
Born in Singapore, Sohum began playing chess at the age of 6—learning the game alongside his mother, Aarti Lohia. His natural talent quickly caught the attention of a visiting Indian chess coach, who urged Aarti to invest in formal training. Unfortunately, by the time Sohum turned 7 the family had to move to the UK which resulted in a one year break from chess for young Sohum. It was difficult for the family to navigate the chess ecosystem in the UK so Aarti reached out to family friend Aruna Anand (5-time world champion Vishwanathan Anand’s wife) for advice and this led to his early mentorship under RB Ramesh, the renowned coach of several Indian chess stars, including GM R. Praggnanandhaa.
By age nine, Sohum was back at the board—and rising fast. In 2019, he made history by winning both the British Under-10 and Under-11 Championships in the same year, a feat not repeated since 1996. Earlier he had won the British under-8 championships and won 2nd place in the under-9 championships.
Sohum’s growth continued steadily. By the end of 2021, he had crossed a FIDE ELO rating of 2200, and with the support of his coaches, he kept climbing. Chess columnist Leonard Barden identified Sohum as one of England’s top juniors.
His training has been shaped by the guidance of world-class mentors, including RB Ramesh and GM Luke McShane. Sohum also draws immense inspiration and guidance from GM Viswanathan Anand and Aruna Anand, close family friends whose counsel has deeply influenced his growth both on and off the board.
Behind his rise is not just talent, but also a family’s dedication. His mother, Aarti, has been his constant companion—traveling across continents, balancing life with two other children, and spending countless hours outside tournament halls. Her advocacy for chess and belief in its power to develop discipline and resilience have been pivotal in shaping Sohum’s journey. Aarti is currently filming her first chess documentary.
With the International Master title now to his name, Sohum stands at the edge of even greater challenges—with the Grandmaster title in sight. Whether it’s his ability to be calm under pressure, deep strategic insight, or love for the game, one thing is clear: this is just the opening act of a remarkable chess career.