News Desk
At an age when most children are lost in the world of cartoons and toys, 4-year-old Anish Sarkar finds his joy in the quiet intensity of the chessboard. With a mind years ahead of his age, the Indian toddler made history in November 2024 when, at just 3 years and 10 months old, he became the world’s youngest FIDE-rated player.
Anish’s journey into chess was serendipitous. A few months after his third birthday, his father enrolled him in a chess academy led by Indian Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, not suspecting the talent hidden within his son. What started as a pastime quickly turned into an obsession—one that even stunned Barua. “I have never seen anyone like this boy,” he remarked, amazed at the child’s ability to grasp complex strategies and practice for hours on end.
In September 2024, Anish made his mark at the All Bengal Rapid Rating Open, where he earned his first rating in rapid chess and even faced off in a simulated game against one of India’s top grandmasters, Arjun Erigaisi. The following month, at the West Bengal Under-9 Championship, he finished an impressive 24th out of 140 players, some of whom were far older and more experienced. His confidence and skill shone as he defeated two rated players in the final rounds, later securing an official FIDE rating of 1556 at the Under-13 Championship.
Despite his meteoric rise, Anish’s parents remain cautious. They are not pressuring him but instead allowing his passion to take its natural course. How far he will go remains uncertain, but for now, the chess world watches with bated breath as this pocket-sized prodigy continues to defy expectations—one move at a time.
