Anish Sarkar
Anish Sarkar (born 26 January 2021) is an Indian chess prodigy who became the youngest player in the world to receive a FIDE rating, achieving this milestone in November 2024 at the age of 3 years and 10 months.[1] In recognition of his exceptional talent, he was also awarded the prestigious Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2024, becoming the youngest recipient of the honor that year.[2]
| Anish Sarkar | |
|---|---|
| Country |  India |
| Born | 26 January 2021
(aged 5) Kolkata, India |
| Peak rating | 1561 (May 2025) |
Chess career
Anish Sarkar's interest in chess emerged in early 2024. Recognizing his natural aptitude for the game, he was inducted into a special training program under the mentorship of India's second grandmaster, Dibyendu Barua.[3]
He participated in the 1st SXCCAA All Bengal Rapid Rating Open in September 2024, where he played in a simul exhibition against grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi and secured his first rapid rating.[4]
Sarkar gained international recognition in November 2024 after participating in the West Bengal Under-9 Championship, where he scored 5.5 out of 8 points and finished 24th among 140 players. His performance included victories over two FIDE-rated players—Arav Chatterjee and Ahilaan Baishya—in the final rounds. He subsequently competed in the West Bengal Under-13 Championship, earning an initial FIDE standard rating of 1556.[5]
This achievement broke the previous record set by Tejas Tiwari, who had become the youngest rated player at the age of five.[6]
References
- ↑ Anish Sarkar. ratings.fide.com. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- ↑ Bajeli-Datt, Kavita. President Murmu confers Bal Puraskar excellence awards to 17 children. The New Indian Express (2024-12-26). Retrieved 2024-12-28.
- ↑ Svensen, Tarjei. 3-Year-Old Anish Prefers GothamChess To Peppa Pig, Earns 1555 FIDE Rating (November 13, 2024).
- ↑ Ahmed, Shahid. Anish Sarkar becomes the youngest rated player at the age of 3 years 8 months 19 days (November 1, 2024).
- ↑ Kolkata's Anish Sarkar becomes youngest rated chess prodigy at 3 years (November 3, 2024).
- ↑ Little Master: 3-year-old Anish Sarkar becomes youngest rated chess prodigy (November 2, 2024).