At the tender age of three years, eight months, and 19 days, Anish Sarkar from Kaikhali, North Kolkata, has etched his name in history as the youngest-rated chess player ever. His remarkable journey began just a year ago, when he discovered his passion for the game.
Born on January 26, 2021, Anish’s rise in the chess circuit has been nothing short of meteoric. His competitive debut came in October at the West Bengal State Under-9 Open, where he scored an impressive 5.5 points from eight rounds, defeating two rated players and placing 24th overall.
Undeterred, Anish continued his ascent, challenging older and more experienced opponents in the State Under-13 Open. This tournament proved to be a pivotal moment, as it met the FIDE requirement of playing five rated players, securing him an initial FIDE rating of 1555.
Anish’s achievements have drawn comparisons to India’s second Grandmaster (GM), Dibyendu Barua, who serves as his coach. “Anish definitely has potential, but he has a long way to go,” said Barua, who sees echoes of former chess prodigies in the young player’s determination and focus.
Despite coming from a lower-middle-class background, with parents who had no prior knowledge of chess, Anish’s journey started early. His mother recalled that he showed an avid interest in chess videos on YouTube, prompting them to get him a board. Guided by Barua at the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy, Anish now trains up to eight hours a day.
Anish’s focus is remarkable. Often seen sitting atop a stack of chairs to reach the board, he has even faced seasoned players like India’s top-ranked GM Arjun Erigaisi in simultaneous exhibition matches. He is inspired by his idol, world champion Magnus Carlsen, and watches GothamChess on YouTube for additional insights.
As India’s chess talent continues to grow with prodigies like R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh, Anish’s emergence adds to the country’s promising future in the sport. Plans are underway for him to compete in the Tata Steel Kolkata Chess tournament, where he may meet his hero, Carlsen, for the first time.
