Young Chess Prodigy: Three-Year-Old Anish Sarkar Becomes India's Youngest Rated Player

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, PTI Calcutta, 04.11.24: While most children his age are captivated by cartoons like Peppa Pig or Chhota Bheem, little Anish Sarkar has discovered a passion that sets him apart: the intricate and strategic world of chess. At just three years, eight months, and 19 days old, this young talent from Kaikhali, North Kolkata, has made history by becoming the youngest rated chess player in the world.

Born on January 26, 2021, Anish's chess journey began just over a year ago, and he made his competitive debut at the West Bengal State Under-9 Open in October. There, he achieved an impressive score of 5.5 out of 8 points, finishing 24th overall and defeating two rated players, Arav Chatterjee and Ahilaan Baishya. His remarkable performance caught the attention of the chess community.

Anish's talents were further showcased during a simultaneous exhibition match against India’s No. 1 and World No. 4 Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, where he had the opportunity to test his skills against one of the best. Just a week later, he faced a new challenge in the West Bengal State Under-13 Open, competing against older, more experienced players. This experience was crucial as it allowed him to meet the requirements to obtain an initial FIDE rating of 1555, officially recognized on Thursday.

With this achievement, Anish surpassed the previous record set by Tejas Tiwari, who had become the youngest FIDE-rated player at the age of five. His coach, Dibyendu Barua, a renowned Grandmaster and director of the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy, expressed his admiration for Anish’s potential, comparing him to Mitrabha Guha, who became a Grandmaster at 20. “Anish definitely has talent, but he has a long journey ahead,” Barua noted.

Anish's rise comes at a thrilling time for Indian chess, as young stars like Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh continue to shine on the international stage. Their recent triumphs, including a historic double-gold win at the Chess Olympiad, have ignited a nationwide enthusiasm for the game, inspiring parents to nurture budding talents like Anish.

Videos from Anish’s tournaments showcase his determination; often seen perched on a stack of chairs to reach the chessboard, he endears himself to spectators. In one memorable moment, he played against three Grandmasters, including Barua and Surya Sekhar Ganguly, all while balancing precariously on his makeshift throne.

Anish trains rigorously, spending seven to eight hours a day honing his skills. “He is incredibly focused. Once he sits down at the board, he doesn’t want to get up,” Barua remarked, highlighting the young boy’s dedication.

Raised in a lower-middle-class family with parents unfamiliar with chess, Anish's fascination began at a tender age. “We tried introducing him to various cartoons, but he was instantly drawn to chess videos,” his mother recalled. Recognizing his affinity for the game, she bought him a chess set, which sparked his love for the sport.

Despite her own achievements—a master’s degree—his mother chose to focus on supporting Anish's passion. “We prefer to stay out of the spotlight for now. This is his moment, and he deserves the attention,” she explained with pride. She laughed, admitting, “I still don’t know a single chess move, but I’m always here cheering him on.”

Anish idolizes chess content creator GothamChess, but his true hero is Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Champion. With the Tata Steel Kolkata Chess tournament on the horizon, where Carlsen is set to participate, Barua is eager to ensure that Anish gets a chance to compete in this prestigious event.

Anish Sarkar’s journey is just beginning, and as he continues to break barriers and set records, the chess world—and beyond—watches in awe, anticipating the future of this young prodigy.(with PTI inputs)