While most young children are captivated by the vibrant worlds of cartoons like Peppa Pig or Chhota Bheem, three-year-old Anish Sarkar from Kaikhali, north Kolkata, has developed a fascination for the calculated moves and quiet strategy of chess. At just three years, eight months, and 19 days old, Anish has set a new world record, becoming the youngest-rated chess player in history. Born on January 26, 2021, his first competitive tournament was the West Bengal State Under-9 Open in October, where he secured an impressive 5.5 out of 8 points, placing 24th overall and defeating two rated players along the way.
Anish also had a chance to play against Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, India’s top-ranked player and fourth in the world, during a simultaneous exhibition match at the Bengal Rapid Rating Open. Just a week later, he participated in the West Bengal State Under-13 Open, challenging himself against older, seasoned players. His determined journey through these competitions met the crucial requirement of facing five rated opponents, earning him an initial FIDE rating of 1555. This achievement surpassed the previous record set by Tejas Tiwari, who had become the youngest FIDE-rated player at five years old. Anish’s mentor, Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, noted, “Anish reminds me of Mitrabha Guha, who became a GM at 20. He has incredible potential, though he still has a long way to go.”
Anish’s remarkable rise arrives during an exciting time for Indian chess, as young players like Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh gain international recognition. These chess prodigies have not only inspired global fans but also put India in the chess spotlight with their impressive records. Recently, India celebrated a historic double-gold at the Chess Olympiad in both the open and women’s categories, a success that has driven a newfound nationwide interest in fostering young talents like Anish.
In most tournament videos, Anish is seen seated on a stack of chairs to reach the chessboard, creating an endearing and memorable sight. In one clip, he plays against three Grandmasters, including his coach Barua and Surya Sekhar Ganguly, balancing on chairs as Barua playfully pinches his cheek. “We’ve placed him in a special group where he trains for seven to eight hours,” said Barua. “Sometimes, he even comes to my home to play, and once he’s at the board, he won’t leave. His focus is astounding.”
Born into a lower-middle-class family, Anish’s parents had no prior knowledge of chess. His mother, who prefers to stay anonymous, recalls, “We introduced him to different YouTube channels, including cartoons, but he was drawn to chess videos. By January, he would watch these endlessly. I bought him a chessboard, thinking it was safe for him to handle alone.” Already skilled with numbers, Anish’s interest in chess deepened, and soon his parents decided to place him under Barua’s guidance. “For now, we’d rather stay out of the spotlight and let him enjoy his achievement,” his mother said. “We’ll be happy to share our names when he becomes a GM.”
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Anish’s dedication extends beyond the game. Although his mother holds a master’s degree, she chose to stay at home to fully support his pursuits. She notes, “I don’t know a single chess move, and maybe his father knows a bit, but Anish hasn’t lost to him even once. There’s no pressure on him; we just want him to enjoy himself.”
Anish’s admiration for chess champions includes Magnus Carlsen, whom he idolises, and GothamChess, a popular YouTube chess channel.
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