Anish Sarkar, a three-year-old from Kaikhali, north Kolkata, has etched his name in history as the youngest-rated chess player ever. His incredible journey began just a year ago when he discovered his passion for chess. Born on January 26, 2021, Anish’s rise in the chess world has been swift, with his first competitive tournament in October at the West Bengal state Under-9 Open, where he scored 5.5 points from eight rounds and defeated two rated players. He followed up with an appearance in the state Under-13 Open, earning an initial FIDE rating of 1555 after meeting the FIDE requirement of playing five rated players.
Coached by India’s second Grandmaster (GM), Dibyendu Barua, Anish’s potential is being closely watched. “Anish definitely has potential, but he has a long way to go,” Barua stated, comparing the young player to other former chess prodigies.
Anish, who hails from a lower-middle-class background, developed an interest in chess by watching YouTube videos. His parents, who had no prior knowledge of the game, supported his passion by getting him a chessboard. Now training up to eight hours a day at the Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy, Anish is gaining recognition in India’s growing pool of young chess talent.
Anish has already faced top-ranked players, including GM Arjun Erigaisi, and his idol, Magnus Carlsen. He may even meet Carlsen in person at the upcoming Tata Steel Kolkata Chess tournament.
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