SPORTS
At just three years, eight months, and 19 days, the kid from Kaikhali in north Kolkata on Friday became the youngest rated chess player in history.
India's remarkable journey with exceptionally young chess talent continues. Anish Sarkar from West Bengal has redefined the term prodigy by becoming the youngest rated player of all time at the age of 3 years, 8 months, and 19 days.
Sarkar made his tournament debut before reaching three and a half years of age, even facing off against India's top-ranked Grandmaster, Arjun Erigaisi, in a simultaneous match. This led to him achieving his first Elo rating of 1555, as confirmed on Friday, November 1, 2024, as reported by ChessBase India.
Born on January 26, 2021, Sarkar participated in the West Bengal State Under-9 Open and the West Bengal State Under-13 Open tournaments in October. In the under-9 tournament, he scored 5.5 points out of a possible eight, finishing in 24th place out of 140 participants. During this event, his debut in a classical tournament, the young prodigy defeated two rated players in the final two rounds: Arav Chatterjee (1551) and Ahilaan Baishya (1442).
Despite facing defeat against both rated players in the recent under-13 event, Sarkar's performance was enough to earn him a FIDE (International Chess Federation) rating. This achievement has propelled him past his compatriot Tejas Tiwari, making him the youngest player in the world to hold a FIDE rating. Tiwari previously held this title in 2023 when he became a FIDE-rated player at the age of five.
In many videos capturing Sarkar's appearances at chess tournaments, he can be seen perched on a stack of chairs in order to reach the chessboard, creating a captivating image. One particular video showcases the three-year-old playing against three Grandmasters, including Barua and Surya Sekhar Ganguly, all while maintaining his balance on the chairs as his coach, Barua, playfully pinches his cheek.
Born into a lower-middle-class family with parents who had no prior knowledge of chess, Sarkar's journey began just a year ago when he was a toddler.
"We introduced him to different YouTube channels, including cartoons like Peppa Pig, but he was drawn to chess videos," his mother told PTI.
"By January, his interest had grown, and he would watch those videos endlessly. I bought him a chessboard and pieces, thinking it was safe for him to handle even if I couldn't supervise him closely.
"Since he was already good with numbers and counting, chess quickly became his favourite. That's when we decided to place him under the guidance of Dibyendu Sir," she recalled.
"Till date, I don't know a single chess move. Maybe his father knows a bit more, but he hasn't managed to beat him even once," Sarkar's mother added.
The emergence of the unheralded youngster is a testament to the exciting era of chess currently unfolding in India. Young talents such as Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh are shining on the international stage. Gukesh, in particular, is poised to face off against reigning champion Ding Liren in the World Championship in Singapore this November-December.
Video shows Korean girl eating jalebi for first time, her reaction to Indian sweet goes viral
Cristiano Ronaldo confirms THIS YouTube star as his next guest, says, 'Will break Internet'
Delhi Assembly Elections: AAP releases first list of 11 candidates for 2025 polls
Adani Group's FIRST REACTION after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
Instagram introduces new feature, know how to reset app's algorithm, change your feed
Oppo Find X8 and X8 Pro launched in India, check specifications, price, other details
Charges against Gautam Adani: BJP's scathing attack on Congress, questions timing of development
Jasprit Bumrah's BIG statement on taking up Perth test captaincy, says, 'tactically better...'
Blackout on breaks: Company imposes no-sick-leave policy until 2025
Drug-laden terrorists on India's western, northern frontiers
Mohammad Shami trolls Sanjay Manjrekar over IPL auction bid prediction, says, 'Baba ki...'
IND vs AUS Test: When and where to watch 1st match of Border-Gavaskar trophy, know details here
CAQM amends Grap Stages III, IV, enforces stricter measures in Delhi-NCR amid air pollution woes
Malayalam actor Meghanathan passes away at 60 after suffering from...
Adani Green Energy's FIRST reaction after US indicts Gautam Adani in alleged bribery case
'Keep me out of...': Pakistani Instagram star Mathira on MMS leak controversy
Delhi Air Pollution: AQI marginally improves from 'severe' to 'very poor' category
'I love him, he loves me! Why hurt...': Rekha's bold confession about Amitabh Bachchan goes viral
Meet man, IITian who built Rs 5493 crore firm, has this Mukesh Ambani connection, he is from...
Shillong Teer Results TODAY November 21, 2024 Live Updates: Check winning numbers here
‘I didn’t have time to…’: When AR Rahman revealed having ‘agreement’ before marriage to Saira Banu
Viral video: Woman's sizzling belly dance to 'Namak' impresses internet, watch
Hardik Pandya banned, Mumbai Indians captain to miss first match of IPL 2025 due to...
Meet man who studied at IIM, IIT, then built Rs 1160000000 company, got inspired by…
Meet woman, who quit as dentist for UPSC exam, became IAS officer with AIR...
Viral video: Little girl steals hearts with her adorable dance to 'o meri cutie', watch
Gautam Adani's company signs another pact to acquire 100% stake in...
CBSE Date Sheet 2025 announced: Class 10, 12 board exams to begin from...
Apollena: Aditi Sharma on how space-based drama encourage young girls, says 'no matter how many...'
Is Mia Khalifa dating ex-Man City star Julian Alvarez? Former adult star says 'It certainly...'
IPL 2025 auction RTM rule: How this year’s right-to-match card is different from previous seasons
'Virat Kohli is trying to...': Shoaib Akhtar makes BIG statement on Champions Trophy 2025
Maharashtra Election 2024: Mukesh Ambani and family cast their votes in Mumbai
Centre revises performance-linked incentive scheme for THESE employees; check details
Manipur violence: Prohibitory orders to be relaxed in Imphal Valley for 7 hours
Jharkhand Exit Poll Results 2024: 36-41 seats predicted for BJP, JMM to secure…
Elon Musk faces big threat after million of users switch from X to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky
ICC Rankings: Hardik Pandya reclaims No. 1 T20I all-rounder spot, Tilak Varma enters top 10
DNA Verified: Is retirement age for central govt employees increasing to 62? Know truth here
Android 16 preview unveiled by Google: Who can access it? Here's all you need to know
Anti-pollution diet: Foods that can help fight air pollution naturally
Tech millionaire Bryan Johnson's face 'blows up' after anti-aging experiment; here’s how
Expanding Horizons: GOCL Corporation’s Strategic Diversification in Electronics and Metal Cladding
TrezarBit App Review 2024: Legit Trading Platform? Quick Facts!
Meet man who worked closely with Isha Ambani, Mukesh Ambani, set to take new role as...
Meet man, lifted bricks 8 hours a day, cracked NEET by studying on broken phone, he scored...
US embassy in Kyiv shuts down after receiving warning of 'potential significant' Russian air attack
Anil Ambani's next BIG step, Reliance Group announces new plan for...