While most three-year-olds are busy with toys and games, Anish Sarkar from Kolkata is already making a name for himself in the chess world. At just three years and eight months old, Anish has become the youngest FIDE-rated chess player in history, achieving an initial rating of 1555.
His incredible journey to this milestone has not only wowed the chess community but also caught the attention of Anand Mahindra, the Chairperson of Mahindra Group.
Anish’s chess journey began with an impressive debut at the West Bengal State Under-9 Open tournament, where he faced players much older than him.
In this competition, he secured 5.5 points out of 8, finishing 24th – a remarkable feat for someone so young. Just a week later, he entered the West Bengal State Under-13 Open, where his talent shone through once again, earning him the coveted FIDE rating and breaking the record previously held by Tejas Tiwari as the youngest player to do so.
Anand Mahindra, a passionate chess follower himself, couldn’t resist sharing his admiration for young Anish on social media.
Posting a video clip of Anish at various tournaments, Mahindra joked about his own chess skills, writing, “Anish Sarkar. 3 years & 8 months old. The youngest ever FIDE rated player. A 1555 rating. At the age of 69, I think I play at a level of 1500. I better play him while I can still keep up for a few moves!”
Anish Sarkar.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) November 2, 2024
3 years & 8 months old.
The youngest ever FIDE rated player.
A 1555 rating
At the age of 69 I think I play at a level of 1500.
I better play him while I can still keep up for a few moves..!#IndianChess
Anish Sarkar rating. pic.twitter.com/JbErEwKVUD
His tweet highlights both his admiration for Anish and a sense of lighthearted self-reflection on the gap between their skill levels.
The video, originally posted by Norway Chess, showcases Anish in action, focused and confidently navigating his matches. It has since sparked a lively discussion online, with people expressing awe at his talent.
One user remarked, “For perspective, hitting a 1500 rating at 69 is impressive in itself, but Anish’s rapid achievement shows the sheer talent coming up in Indian chess. Facing him now sounds like the perfect challenge to test your skills against the rising generation while you can still keep up!”