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
The Wonderkid of West Bengal
Anish Sarkar, born on 26th January 2021, got his first rating 1555 at the age of 3 years 8 months 19 days. His debut rating tournament was 1st SXCCAA All Bengal Rapid Rating Open 2024. He scored an impressive 5/11 there and also got a unique opportunity to play a Simul against the India no.1 and World no.4 - GM Arjun Erigaisi.
Anish's name was not initially in the 15-player list as he did not fulfill the qualifying criteria to play the Simul. However, one of the player became absent and it was fortuitous for the little kid of St. James School to get a fantastic opportunity as the organizer decided to put his name as a substitute.
A week after this, the little kid played his first Classical rating tournament - West Bengal State Under-9 Open Rating 2024. He scored 5.5/8 and finished at 24th place in a strong field of 140 players. At this event, he defeated two rated players in the last two rounds - Arav Chatterjee (1551) and Ahilaan Baishya (1442).
Since he scored 2/3 against rated players, he needed to face at least two more players in a Classical rated tournament to become eligible to get a rating. A week later, he played his next tournament - West Bengal State Under-13 Open Rating 2024. It goes without saying that he had a tough time as it was an extremely strong field for him. He lost against both rated players he faced. Nevertheless, it fulfilled the criteria to get a rating. Thus, he became a rated player on 15th October after his fourth round game. It only became official today on 1st November 2024 with the publication of November 2024 FIDE Rating List.
If you have not seen him in action, check out the videos we have published on him so far.
Videos
The first two videos were recorded on his first visit to Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy where he is currently training at.