Meet India’s Youngest Chess Talents Under 7 Years – Future Grandmasters in the Making
5 Young Chess Prodigies of India Under 7 Who Are Making
History
Chess in India has grown rapidly in the past decade. The
success of legends like Viswanathan Anand, and the rise of young stars
such as Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Arjun Erigaisi have
inspired many families to introduce chess to children at an early age. Today,
even kids as young as three and four are competing in tournaments and earning
FIDE ratings.
Here, we explore the stories of five extraordinary chess
prodigies under the age of seven who have already made a mark. Their
journeys show how passion, early training, and family support can create
history.
1. Anish Sarkar – World’s Youngest FIDE-Rated Player
- Age
when rated: 3 years, 8 months, 19 days
- FIDE
Rating: 1555 (Classical)
- Hometown:
Kolkata, West Bengal
- Coach:
Former Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua
Early Start
Anish Sarkar’s story is almost unbelievable. At just three
years old, most children are learning nursery rhymes or watching cartoons. But
Anish was already sitting across the board in serious chess competitions. His
parents noticed his unusual focus and memory when he was barely two, and soon
introduced him to chess.
Big Achievement
In October 2024, he entered the West Bengal State Under-9
Open Championship. Even though he was the youngest participant, he scored 5.5
out of 8 games, defeating two rated players. Soon after, he played in the West
Bengal Under-13 Open, where he met the FIDE requirements to gain an
official rating. By November 1, 2024, his name appeared on the FIDE rating
list, with a score of 1555. This made him the youngest rated chess
player in history.
Skills and Style
- Plays
with strong opening preparation for his age.
- Shows
good calculation ability and patience.
- Comfortable
in longer games, unusual for toddlers.
- Loves
puzzles and endgame studies.
Family and Training
Anish trains at the Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy, one
of India’s best-known schools for young players. His parents have balanced his
childhood with playtime and learning, ensuring he does not feel pressured.
Why Special
Anish broke every previous record. He proved that talent can
shine at any age, and today he is known worldwide as the boy who made history
before turning 4.
2. Tejas Tiwari – Record Breaker Before Anish
- Age
when rated: 5 years, 5 months, 7 days
- FIDE
Rating at start: 1149
- Hometown:
Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- First
Tournament: Late Dhiraj Singh Raghuvanshi Open, June 2023
Early Start
Before Anish Sarkar came into the limelight, the title of
“youngest rated player” belonged to Tejas Tiwari. Born in Indore, Tejas
showed early interest in chess at home, often watching his father and elder
brother play. His parents encouraged him and put him in local tournaments.
Big Achievement
In June 2023, at just over five years old, Tejas earned a
FIDE rating of 1149. He became the youngest rated chess player in the
world at that time, and his achievement was widely covered in Indian and
international media.
Skills and Style
- Strong
in tactics and quick calculation.
- Loves
playing fast games, especially Blitz.
- Not
afraid of older opponents; shows fighting spirit.
Family and Training
His father has been his main support system, ensuring he
participates in tournaments regularly. Local coaches and the Madhya Pradesh
chess circle have given him early exposure to competition.
Why Special
Even though Anish later broke his record, Tejas remains an
inspiration. He showed that serious chess learning can start at the age of four
or five, and young kids can succeed on the international stage.
3. Aarini Lahoty – India’s Youngest with FIDE Ratings in
All Formats
- Age
when rated in all formats: 5 years
- FIDE
Ratings:
- Classical:
1553
- Rapid:
1550
- Blitz:
1498
- Hometown:
New Delhi
- Coach:
Trained by her father, Surendar Lahoty
Early Start
Aarini Lahoty began learning chess at the age of 2,
inspired by watching Magnus Carlsen’s games online. Her father, a physical
education teacher and chess coach, introduced her to the basics, and she picked
them up quickly.
Big Achievement
By 2025, Aarini had become the youngest Indian to
earn official FIDE ratings in all three formats of chess – Classical,
Rapid, and Blitz. This rare achievement shows her versatility across time
controls.
Skills and Style
- Known
for her balanced approach; plays safe but sharp when needed.
- Good
memory for opening lines.
- Strong
competitive spirit; she enjoys long matches.
Family and Training
Her father gives her structured training at home, simulating
tournament time controls so that she gets used to clock pressure. Aarini has
also competed in official events like the National Under-7 Girls
Championship.
Why Special
She is not just a rated player—she is rated across all
formats at just 5 years old. This makes her unique in Indian chess history
and a role model for other young girls.
4. Nivaan Khandhadia – Early Achiever at Age Six
- Age
when rated: 6 years, 2 months
- FIDE
Rating: First rating achieved in 2018
- Notable
Tournament: Holi Cup Lakecity Open
Early Start
Nivaan began playing chess at the age of 4, encouraged by
his parents. By the time he was 6, he was already competing in state and
national-level events.
Big Achievement
At 6 years, 2 months, Nivaan achieved his first FIDE
rating in 2018. He quickly became known in his state for beating older players
and showing a calm, composed style.
Skills and Style
- Plays
positional chess; focuses on building solid positions.
- Shows
patience and does not rush into attacks.
- Good
at defending under pressure.
Family and Training
He received guidance from district-level coaches in
Rajasthan and participated in frequent tournaments to gain experience. His
parents supported his travels, which is crucial for a young player’s exposure.
Why Special
Though less talked about in the media compared to Anish or
Aarini, Nivaan’s consistency at such a young age makes him a strong example of
how grassroots chess in India is spreading.
5. Udhriti Bhattacharya – Youngest Indian Girl with a
FIDE Rating
- Age
when rated: 6 years, 4 months
- FIDE
Rating: Around 1421 (Classical)
- Hometown:
Kolkata, West Bengal
Early Start
Udhriti Bhattacharya started playing chess in early
childhood. With parents who valued education and extracurriculars, chess soon
became her favorite hobby.
Big Achievement
At 6 years, 4 months, Udhriti became the youngest
Indian girl to achieve a FIDE rating. Her performance in state-level
tournaments helped her secure the rating.
Skills and Style
- Sharp
tactical eye, especially in middle games.
- Loves
aggressive play and attacking the opponent’s king.
- Has
a fearless approach, often surprising older players.
Family and Training
She has been trained by local Kolkata coaches and practices
regularly online. Her parents encourage her to balance chess with school
activities.
Why Special
As a girl achiever, Udhriti represents the growing
participation of women in Indian chess. Her achievement motivates more young
girls to take up the game.
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