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At the tender age of three years, eight months, and 19 days, Anish Sarkar from Kolkata has etched his name in chess history as the youngest rated player ever. His remarkable journey began with a fascination for chess pieces at just three years old.Anish's debut in competitive chess came at the West Bengal state Under-9 Open, where he impressed with 5.5 points out of 8 and defeated two rated players. His skills were further tested at the West Bengal state Under-13 Open, where he faced older and more experienced opponents. Despite the challenge, he met the requirement of facing five rated players, earning him an initial FIDE rating of 1555.Anish's emergence coincides with an exciting era in Indian chess, marked by the rise of young prodigies like Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh. Their success has inspired a nationwide interest in nurturing young talents like Anish.Born into a lower-middle-class family, Anish's journey began when he was drawn to chess videos on YouTube. His parents, with no prior knowledge of chess, introduced him to the game, and he quickly developed a passion for it.Anish's focus and dedication are remarkable. He trains for seven to eight hours a day and is known for his unwavering concentration at the chessboard. His idol is none other than world champion Magnus Carlsen, and he enjoys watching GothamChess on YouTube.Anish's coach, Dibyendu Barua, sees potential in the young prodigy but emphasizes the long journey ahead. He compares Anish to Mitrabha Guha, who became a Grandmaster at 20 years old.Anish's mother, who prefers to remain anonymous, supports her son's passion quietly. She believes in his abilities and wants him to enjoy the game without pressure.As Anish continues his chess journey, he is expected to participate in the upcoming Tata Steel Kolkata Chess, where he may have the opportunity to meet his idol, Magnus Carlsen.

India's Chess Veteran Tania Sachdev Urges State Governments to Support Young PlayersIndia's chess veteran Tania Sachdev has emphasized the crucial role of state governments in fostering a pipeline of young players and maintaining the country's dominance in the sport. Speaking at the NDTV World Summit, Sachdev, who was part of India's historic double gold campaign at the 45th Chess Olympiad 2024, highlighted the importance of state support in inspiring and nurturing young talent.Sachdev, who hails from Delhi, pointed out that she was the sole chess representative from the capital for nearly 16 years until the emergence of Vantika Agrawal. She stressed that state governments play a vital role in providing opportunities and recognition to young players, which is essential for their development and success."There's a reason why we see so many Grandmasters from Tamil Nadu. Why does every girl want to play badminton? Because she's seen a PV Sindhu," said Sachdev. "Unless the state governments recognize the effort of its own players, how are you going to inspire the youth of a profession seriously?"Sachdev's comments come in the wake of India's remarkable achievement at the 45th Chess Olympiad, where both the men's and women's teams won gold. For Sachdev, who has been a part of India's chess team at the Olympiad since 2008, the gold medal was the culmination of a 16-year journey. Her teammate D Harika had to wait 20 years for the same honor."It is something that we worked towards not one or two years, but 16 years for me and even longer for her (Harika)," said Sachdev. "Having got the job done, we all felt more emotional than we ever have. It went far beyond winning the gold, it was a lifetime journey for a lot of us."Vantika Agrawal also revealed that the chess team had planned special celebrations once they knew that they had both won gold. The team's success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and support that they have received over the years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India's historic triumph at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where both the men's and women's teams clinched their maiden gold medals.India's men's team, comprising D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and R Praggnanandhaa, defeated Slovenia in the final round, while the women's team, led by R Vaishali, D Harika, and Tania Sachdev, triumphed over Azerbaijan.Gukesh, the star of the tournament, won 10 out of 11 rounds in the Open category, playing a pivotal role in India's victory. Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa also secured decisive wins in the final round.The women's team secured their gold by defeating Azerbaijan. Vaishali, Harika, and Sachdev displayed exceptional skills and determination throughout the tournament.In a video shared on social media, Modi interacted with the chess champions, who presented him with a chessboard. Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi played a quick game of chess, leaving Modi spellbound.The Indian men's team finished with an impressive 21 out of 22 possible points, conceding only one draw against Uzbekistan. The women's team also performed remarkably, securing 18.5 points out of 22.India's historic achievement at the Chess Olympiad is a testament to the growing popularity and talent in the sport. The gold medals are a source of pride for the nation and will inspire future generations of chess players.

Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi, fresh from his triumph at the Chess Olympiad, has decided to forgo defending his title at the Vugar Gashimov Memorial Chess Super Tournament in Azerbaijan to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Gujrathi, who won the Azerbaijan event last year, was part of the historic Indian men's team that clinched the Chess Olympiad gold in the Open category.Upon learning about the felicitation function, Gujrathi expressed his joy and gratitude on social media. "I reached Baku and I got to know our Hon'ble PM wants to felicitate the Indian team. I was overjoyed when I heard this and I wanted to be a part of it. It's amazing at how such short notice he is taking out time for us," he wrote.Gujrathi, 29, has been replaced by Aravindh Chithambaram for the event to be held from September 25-30. "I contacted Sarkhan Gashimov (organiser) and he understood my sentiments. Big thanks to him! Wishing Aravindh the best to play against top players in this prestigious event," Gujrathi added.After India's historic Chess Olympiad victory, Gujrathi remarked that the golden era of chess has just begun for his country. "We can call it a golden era for Indian chess, as gold has been won. The same team competed in the Asian Games, but I think everyone has stepped up their game over the past year. We were winning by significant margins, and it was a dominant performance," he said.Gujrathi also addressed the incident where he missed shaking hands with his opponent, Levon Aronian. "I have a routine of meditating before every match, which helps me stay focused and perform better. I was busy with that, which is why I missed shaking hands with him. When I opened my eyes, I then shook hands with him," he explained.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Team India's historic double gold triumph at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad, declaring that "Bharat is brimming with energy and aspirations."India's exceptional performance in Budapest culminated in gold medals for both the men's and women's teams on Sunday. Addressing the Indian diaspora at Nassau Coliseum in New York, PM Modi lauded their achievements."India is a nation brimming with energy and dreams. We witness new milestones every day. Today, both our men's and women's teams have brought home gold medals from the Chess Olympiad," he said.In the final round, India's men's team, led by D Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala Harikrishna, emerged victorious over Slovenia to secure the gold. Gukesh and Erigaisi's wins gave India an early 2-0 lead, while Praggnanandhaa's subsequent victory and Vidit's draw sealed the gold with a 3.5-0.5 triumph.Meanwhile, the Indian women's team, featuring Harika Dronavalli, R. Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal, and Tania Sachdev, also clinched gold by defeating Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5. Harika, Divya, and Vantika secured individual victories, while Vaishali drew her match.PM Modi's visit to New York marks the second leg of his three-day trip to the United States. On Saturday, he participated in the Quad Summit and held bilateral meetings with US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.The Quad has emerged as a pivotal group of like-minded nations collaborating for peace, progress, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. PM Modi and President Biden explored new avenues to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.PM Modi will also engage with prominent American business leaders, who play a crucial role in fostering the unique partnership between the world's largest and oldest democracies. He is scheduled to address the Summit of the Future at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Chess legend Magnus Carlsen has vehemently opposed the potential reinstatement of Russia and Belarus into the International Chess Federation (FIDE) ahead of a crucial vote this weekend. The two countries were expelled from FIDE in 2022 due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Carlsen, who was honored as the greatest player of all time at a FIDE gala in Budapest, used his platform to advocate against the readmission of Russia and Belarus. He cited the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need to maintain sanctions against the aggressor nations."In Garry's honor, I'm sure he would take the opportunity to advise against reinstating the Russian and Belarusian Chess Federation, so that is what I will do as well," Carlsen stated.Garry Kasparov, a renowned Russian grandmaster and outspoken critic of President Vladimir Putin, echoed Carlsen's sentiments. "Indeed I would, and do!" Kasparov wrote on social media.The proposed readmission of Russia and Belarus has sparked controversy within the chess community and beyond. Ukraine's sports minister, Matviy Bidny, praised Carlsen's stance, emphasizing the importance of maintaining sanctions against Russia and Belarus while the war continues."Sanctions against Russia and Belarus should only be strengthened as long as the war continues, as dictatorial regimes are trying to legitimise the war against Ukraine by using sport and athletes," Bidny said.Carlsen, a five-time world chess champion, has consistently dominated the sport since 2013. His unwavering opposition to the readmission of Russia and Belarus underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for the chess community to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Defending world chess champion Ding Liren has conceded that his Indian challenger, D Gukesh, is the favorite to win their upcoming title showdown in November. Liren's admission comes as Gukesh has been in impressive form at the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad, leading the Indian team to five consecutive victories."I can see my opponent (Gukesh) playing extremely well in this tournament. Maybe he is a favorite in the World Championship Match. He also has a higher rating than me," Liren said in an interview with the International Chess Federation (FIDE).Liren, who won the world crown in May 2022, has struggled for form in the past year. He took a break from the game due to depression and returned to action earlier this year at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, finishing ninth.Gukesh, on the other hand, has been on a meteoric rise. He became the youngest challenger to the world title at the age of 17 after winning the Candidates tournament in April.The two will clash in Singapore from November 20 to December 15 for the coveted title and a prize fund of USD 2.50 million. Should Gukesh prevail, he would become the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to claim the title.Liren acknowledged the possibility of a close battle between India and China for the gold medal in the Olympiad. "We are two very strong teams. We have a chance to fight for the gold medal," he said.Gukesh, however, remained cautious, saying that all participating teams are strong. "All countries are strong, we have to come everyday with the right spirit...We have a nice mood in the team, it's enjoyable," he said.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian cricketer, has ventured into the world of chess with the launch of his newly minted team, the American Gambits. The team's entry into the Global Chess League (GCL) marks a significant milestone for Ashwin and his co-owners.The American Gambits' anthem, titled "Make The World Go," embodies the team's bold and fearless approach to the game. Composed by acclaimed music director Charan Raj and performed by Karthik Chennojirao (KC), the anthem captures the unity, intensity, and strategic depth that the Gambits aspire to showcase on the global stage.Leading the team is Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, a renowned chess prodigy who recently secured third place at the Speed Chess Championship. Nakamura's strategic prowess and fearless play are expected to drive the team's ambitions. Joining him are Jan-Krzysztof Duda, known for his aggressive style and recent victories, and Vladislav Artemiev, whose calculated approach complements the team's strategy.The team also boasts a strong women's contingent, with Bibisara Assaubayeva, the reigning women's world rapid champion, bringing a quick and efficient playstyle. Elisabeth Paehtz's experience adds depth and stability to the team, while young prodigy Jonas Buhl Bjerre represents focus and unity.Lending expertise from the sidelines is RB Ramesh, renowned for coaching the illustrious R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali. Ramesh's guidance will be invaluable as the team navigates the challenges of the GCL.Ashwin expressed his excitement about the new venture, stating, "For us, chess is all about bringing out the best on the board—driven by passion, ridden by strategic bent of mind, and perfectly playing the role of a gambit. We as a team want to popularize and promote chess in India and globally. The anthem encapsulates that spirit of fearlessness and ultimate triumph. We are excited and waiting to show the world how we will play boldly."Nakamura emphasized the team's ethos, stating, "Chess is not just about moving pieces on a board—it's about precision, timing, and the ability to remain fearless in the face of overwhelming odds. This season, we're ready to push boundaries and make bold sacrifices to claim victory. The anthem represents everything we stand for."The American Gambits are poised to make a significant impact on the GCL with their impressive roster and dynamic vision. Their bold and fearless approach, coupled with the expertise of their coaching staff, promises to make them a formidable force in the world of chess.

Indian chess prodigy Shubhi Gupta has once again showcased her exceptional talent by bagging two medals at the recently concluded Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kalutara, Sri Lanka. The 16-year-old from Ghaziabad clinched the gold medal in the girls' U-16 category and a bronze medal in the girls' U-20 category, demonstrating her dominance in both age groups.In the U-16 category, Shubhi displayed remarkable consistency, securing seven wins and two draws. Her exceptional score of eight points out of a possible nine placed her ahead of her compatriots Mrittika Mallick (7 points) and Yashvi Jain (6.5 points), who finished second and third respectively.Shubhi's competitive spirit was further evident in the Open category, where she competed against seasoned Grandmasters, International Masters, and Women Grandmasters. Despite the formidable competition, she managed to score 4.5 points, securing her a bronze medal in the U-20 girls' division.Reflecting on her success, Shubhi expressed her delight at performing consistently in both the U-16 and Open categories. She attributed her success to the experience of playing against top international players and the confidence gained from her previous achievements, including winning the Commonwealth U-12 title and the World Cadet Championship.Shubhi's father introduced her to chess at a young age, and she has since consistently delivered outstanding performances on the national and international platforms. Her latest triumph has further boosted her confidence and serves as a testament to her dedication and hard work.