Serbia’s youngest Chess Grandmaster finds home at Mizzou

Young Luka Budisavljevic never stopped moving. Ice hockey. Basketball. Running outside to play with friends. His father just wanted him to slow down a little, so he suggested the game of chess. Who would have guessed an activity designed to help Budisavljevic sit down would end up taking him around the world?

At 6, Budisavljevic picked up the challenging game of strategy in Serbia, where he grew up. At 7, he competed in his first tournament. At the age of 8, Budisavljevic won the European Youth Chess Championship, sparking a meteoric rise in his career. Claiming victories in the National Youth Championships for six consecutive years opened up new opportunities, like participating in the World and European Youth Championships. It took him to Uruguay and South Africa, which Budisavljevic looks back on as some of his fondest childhood memories. It also put him on the path to achieving a coveted spot in the chess world.

“I am proud that I became the youngest Serbian Chess Grandmaster ever at the age of 16 by winning all of my norms in a span of less than two months, which is a feat that takes multiple years for many Grandmasters,” Budisavljevic said.

The lifelong title “Grandmaster” is awarded by the World Chess Federation. It’s a title that only around 2,000 people have achieved since it was introduced in 1950. While it is a prestigious award that any chess player would wear with immense pride, Budisavljevic said he considers his greatest tournament success to be the 2023 World Juniors Championship in Mexico City, where he tied for first place and won a bronze medal. 

“I managed to repeat the same success the very next year in India, becoming one of only a few people to ever finish on the podium of two consecutive World Juniors Championships,” Budisavljevic said.

Given his accomplishments in the chess world, it’s no surprise that he began receiving substantial scholarship offers from universities with accomplished chess programs during his junior year of high school. But for Serbia’s youngest Chess Grandmaster, one university in particular stood out.

“When evaluating my options, I liked Mizzou the most for various reasons, including a beautiful campus and academic prestige,” he said. “Once I chose Mizzou, there was no question I would be joining the Trulaske College of Business, as [business] has been my desired area of study, and I recognized that the vast alumni network would be of great help in my future career.”

Just like his father, Budisavljevic’s coach, Ioan Cristian Chirila, head coach for the Mizzou Chess Team, emphasizes the importance of an activity that encourages competitors to slow down.

“In an ever-evolving, fast-paced world, being able to sit down for extended periods of time and maintain the focus required to solve the presented problems is a skill that translates well to the academic world,” Chirila said. “Additionally, multi-step planning, time management, and direct competition are always going to translate seamlessly into the academic world, preparing our team members for continuous success at Mizzou and beyond.”

Chess has bolstered his academic career by developing his analytical and problem-solving skills and helping him stay calm under pressure. In turn, his experiences in the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business have strengthened his game by teaching him networking and an open mindset — both important skills as he continues to travel the world in pursuit of the game. 

Budisavljevic is grateful for the opportunities provided to him by the Mizzou Chess Team and the Saint Louis Chess Club, which sponsors the organization. During his freshman year, the team competed in the President’s Cup — the Final Four of Collegiate Chess — for the first time in Mizzou’s history. The team continued to build on that success by winning the Pan-American Collegiate Chess Championship and the Final Four the following year.

“Luka is not only a crucial player for our team from a performance standpoint, as a Grandmaster and one of the most experienced players on the team, but also as one of the leaders of the team off the chess board,” Chirila said. “His personal expertise and the intuitive leadership skills he exhibits in his personal life, as well as his willingness to help others when needed, is what gives our team an immeasurable edge.”

Budisavljevic will graduate in May 2026 with his BS BA with an emphasis in finance. When it comes to planning his next move, his strategy is clear. 

“Once I graduate, I plan to stay at Mizzou for the MBA,” he said. “I am enjoying my time here and want to use the full six years of collegiate chess eligibility at the place that feels like home.”

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.