Anish Sarkar becomes the youngest rated player at the age of 3 years 8 months 19 days

A common question which everyone has in their mind – what is the right age to start chess? Many will say 4 or 4.5 years. What if we tell you that this boy was able to do smothered mate or set up a puzzle on his own from memory and deliver checkmate before he turned 3 years and 4 months? Sounds unbelievable right. Well, thankfully we have proof. He made his tournament debut before he turned 3.5-years-old. Nearly three months later, he played his first rapid rating tournament. He was also fortunate to get an opportunity to play against India no.1 and World no.4 – GM Arjun Erigaisi in a Simul. He defeated two rated players a week later and confirmed his rating in another week. On 1st November 2024, his Elo rating became official and got his name in the record books. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

ChessBase India