Meet the seven-year-old Lithuanian who's just become European chess champion – twice

A seven-year-old boy from Lithuania, Nikolas Bausys, has claimed two European chess titles in a single tournament, marking a remarkable achievement in the world of competitive chess. The event, held in Poland, saw Nikolas secure victory in both the rapid and blitz categories, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication to the game. Nikolas, who first picked up a chessboard at the age of four, has already demonstrated a level of skill that has impressed experts and fellow players alike. His performance in the European rapid and blitz championships was nothing short of extraordinary. In the rapid event, he scored 8.5 points out of a possible 9, securing eight wins and one draw. This placed him firmly at the top of the standings. The following day, he continued his impressive run by achieving a perfect score of 18 out of 18 in the blitz competition, cementing his status as a formidable competitor. His father, Marius Bausys, expressed pride in his son’s accomplishments. “It's not often a player achieves a maximum score,” he remarked. “Nikolas managed to win two championship titles at a single tournament. We came home on a real high.” Despite the accolades, Nikolas himself seemed unfazed by his success. According to Marius, his son treated the victories with a sense of normalcy, viewing them as just another day at the office. “He usually plays in adult tournaments or against older children, so this tournament felt easy to him. That's why he didn't dwell on the win.” This month also marked another milestone for Nikolas, as he participated in the World Classical Chess Championship in Georgia, where he finished in sixth place. While the result was commendable, Marius noted that expectations had been higher. “It's a good result, of course, but expectations had been higher, so we came back from there in reasonably good spirits,” he said. However, his performance in Poland proved to be a significant rebound, reinforcing his position as a rising star in the chess community. Nikolas' journey into chess was influenced heavily by his older brother, Benas, who has also shown promise in the sport. Benas began playing at the age of five and has achieved notable success in various tournaments. His achievements, including being crowned Lithuanian champion, served as a catalyst for Nikolas' interest in the game. “Benas did well. He’d come home with cups, prizes, Lego sets. He became Lithuanian champion. Nikolas saw that his brother was getting attention for playing chess, and I think that was the main motivation,” Marius explained. The Bausys family, consisting of three sons, Nikolas, Benas, and Vincentas, has embraced chess as a shared hobby. From an early age, Nikolas displayed a keen interest in the game, which led to him earning an international rating from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) at the age of five. The family’s approach to chess emphasizes enjoyment and connection rather than competition. “After coming home from nursery, the children would sit down to play chess instead of watching cartoons,” Marius recalled. “We, as parents, never push them into it, for the children, chess is a way to relax, to have fun, a way of connecting with each other.” Marius credits his own rediscovery of chess during the pandemic for sparking the family's deeper involvement in the game. Initially a casual player, he found renewed interest in chess through online platforms and local tournaments. This enthusiasm caught his children's attention, particularly his eldest son, Benas, who became a regular participant. As the family's passion grew, so did their participation in tournaments, with weekend trips becoming a common occurrence. Currently, both Nikolas and Benas are competing in a tournament near Lake Plateliai, in western Lithuania, accompanied by their aunt, Marius’s sister. The involvement of grandparents and extended family further highlights the deep-rooted impact of chess within the Bausys household.