At the age of three, most kids are still learning how to hold a pencil or stack blocks. But in a quiet neighbourhood in Kolkata, a little boy named Anish Sarkar has already done something that’s left the global chess community stunned.
He’s become the youngest FIDE-rated chess player in the world at just three years old, with a debut rating of 1555.
Let that sink in.
Until now, that record was held by India’s Tejas Tiwari, who got his rating at the age of five. But Anish didn’t just break the record he smashed it, and in doing so, reminded us that brilliance can sometimes arrive far earlier than we expect.
🧶 Anish Sarkar (WB) 👑
— @Jpchoudhary (@Jpanchara2474) December 26, 2024
▪️ महज तीन वर्ष की उम्र में राष्ट्रपति के हाथों "पीएम राष्ट्रीय बाल पुरस्कार 2025" से सम्मानित 😱
▪️ 07 बालकों और 10 बालिकाओं सहित 17 बच्चों को आज किया सम्मानित!
🕶 हालांकि राजस्थान राज्य से किसी भी प्रतिभा को इस अवॉर्ड समारोह में सम्मानित नहीं किया गया ! pic.twitter.com/pi9U0i3VtI
Where It All Began
What makes Anish’s story even more remarkable is that it didn’t begin in a family of chess players or sports professionals. Far from it. He comes from a lower-middle-class family, and no one in his home had ever played chess before.
His journey began when his father, out of curiosity, brought home a chessboard. Anish was immediately drawn to it. No one taught him the rules. Instead, he began to pick up the game by watching YouTube videos and studying matches on TV. Before long, he was not just playing – he was winning.
His parents noticed something special, and despite limited means, enrolled him in a local chess academy. That’s when things really took off.
Too Young for His Age Group But Still Winning
Even though Anish was just three, he was already competing in Under-9 open tournaments, often going up against children more than twice his age. And he wasn’t just showing up, he was performing. In one of his first events, he scored 5.5 out of 8, defeating two FIDE-rated players in the process.
That kind of performance is rare at any age. But for someone just barely out of diapers? It’s virtually unheard of.
He even got the chance to play against Arjun Erigaisi, one of India’s top-ranked Grandmasters. While the game was likely more symbolic than competitive, it’s hard to ignore what that kind of exposure means for a child this young.
Part of a Bigger Movement
Anish’s rise comes at a time when Indian chess is experiencing a genuine revolution. With young stars like Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Nihal Sarin leading the way, India is churning out prodigies at a pace that’s making the rest of the world sit up and take notice.
And now, Anish Sarkar joins that list – a new name, but one that already feels unforgettable.
What’s Next for the Young Prodigy?
Right now, Anish is still very much a child. He laughs, plays, watches cartoons and then turns around and defeats kids twice his age on a chessboard. His parents and coaches are trying to keep things balanced, making sure his talent is nurtured without pushing too hard, too fast.
There’s no pressure – Just possibilities
One thing is clear, though: Anish Sarkar’s journey is only just beginning. And if this is what the start looks like, we can only imagine what the next chapter holds.
Because sometimes, greatness doesn’t wait. It arrives early with a chessboard, a curious mind, and a three-year-old boy who just wanted to figure out how the knight moves.
