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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.

The sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India, scheduled from November 13 to 17, will witness the return of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian Grandmaster, who previously triumphed in the 2019 edition, will headline the prestigious event.India's strong contingent, fresh from their golden performance at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, will feature rising stars Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi. Nihal Sarin and S L Narayanan will also represent India in the 'Open' category.Like previous editions, the tournament will comprise 'Open' and women's categories with identical rapid and blitz formats and equal prize money. India's women's team will be represented by Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, D. Harika, Divya Deshmukh, and Vantika Agrawal.Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, the tournament's ambassador, expressed his excitement: "I am looking forward to being back at Tata Steel Chess India. It has become the marquee event in India. This year brings the best of the world headed by Magnus Carlsen."Chanakya Chaudhary, vice-president of corporate services at Tata Steel, said: "We are excited to host the sixth edition of Tata Steel Chess India, which marks the return of world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Members of the Indian men's and women's squads, following their gold medal wins at the Chess Olympiad, will also join the tournament alongside top global players."The tournament lineup includes:Open:- Magnus Carlsen- Nodirbek Abdusattorov- Wesley So- Vincent Keymer- Daniil Dubov- Arjun Erigaisi- R Praggnanandhaa- Vidit Gujrathi- Nihal Sarin- S L NarayananWomen:- Aleksandra Goryachkina- Kateryna Lagno- Alexandra Kosteniuk- Nana Dzagnidze- Valentina Gunina- Koneru Humpy- R. Vaishali- D. Harika- Divya Deshmukh- Vantika Agrawal

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.

Grandmaster D Gukesh, a rising star in the chess world, has led the Indian men's team to a historic victory at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Gukesh, who is set to challenge for the World Championship title in November, showcased his exceptional skills and nerves of steel against top-seeded teams.In a crucial match against Fabiano Caruana of the United States, Gukesh employed a Catalan opening, which led to a complex middle game. Gukesh seized the initiative, capturing a pawn and forcing Caruana into a difficult position. Under pressure, Caruana faltered and lost a second pawn, allowing Gukesh to enter a winning endgame.Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa fought valiantly against Wesley So, but the American team gained an early lead. However, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi remained composed, securing victories against Lenier Dominguez Perez and Levon Aronian, respectively.With one round remaining, the Indian men's team is poised to claim their first-ever Olympiad gold medal. Their triumph is a testament to their talent, determination, and the growing strength of Indian chess.On the women's side, Divya Deshmukh continued to shine, defeating Ni Shiqun of China on board three. R Vaishali also played a crucial role, holding her own against Guo Qi and forcing a draw. D Harika and Vantika Agarwal secured draws on the top and second boards, respectively.With Georgia expected to defeat Kazakhstan, the Indian women's team is likely to regain the top position and become the favorites for the gold medal. Their performance has been equally impressive, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian chess.

In the ongoing 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the Indian women's team continued their impressive run with a 3-1 victory over second-seeded Georgia, while the men's team defeated China 2.5-1.5.Grandmaster R Vaishali and Vantika Agrawal led the charge for the women's team, securing crucial wins against Lela Javakhishvili and Bella Khotenashvili, respectively. Despite a draw by D Harika and a loss by Divya Deshmukh, Vantika's remarkable time management skills sealed India's seventh consecutive victory.The Indian women now boast an impressive 14 points out of a possible 14, extending their lead to two points over Poland, Kazakhstan, and France.In the open section, World Championship challenger D Gukesh led the Indian men to victory over China. Playing with the white pieces, Gukesh navigated a Closed Sicilian to a drawn endgame but remained focused to exploit a mistake by Chinese top board Wei Yi.Despite speculation of a potential clash between Gukesh and Ding Liren, the reigning world champion was rested by the Chinese team. R Praggnanandhaa drew quickly as black against Yangyi Yu, while P Harikrishna's efforts against Wang Yue resulted in an equal rook and pawns endgame.Arjun Erigaise's aggressive play against Bu Xiangzhi was met with a clever piece sacrifice, forcing a draw through repetition.With four rounds remaining, the Indian men have maintained a perfect score, matching their female counterparts. Iran is the closest pursuer with 13 points, followed by Serbia, Hungary, Armenia, and defending champions Uzbekistan with 12 points each.In the next round, the Indian men will face Iran, while the women will take on Poland.

The Global Chess League (GCL) 2024 is set to return for its second season in London from October 3 to 12, and the player draft has already made headlines with the acquisition of Indian Grandmasters Vaishali Rameshbabu and Nihal Sarin.Vaishali, a rising star in the women's chess circuit, has been signed by Ganges Grandmasters in the Superstar Women 1 section. She will join the legendary Viswanathan Anand, who is also part of the Ganges lineup.Meanwhile, the 20-year-old Sarin has been drafted by Alaskan Knights in the Prodigy category. He will be playing alongside renowned players like Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov."For someone my age, coming up the ranks in this sport, I am super thrilled to be part of the Global Chess League Season 2," said Sarin after the draft. "I am looking forward to learn from the stalwarts playing in this season and I am happy to be part of Alaskan Knights this season."Other notable Indian players who have been retained by their respective teams include Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli, who will continue to play for Mumba Masters.The GCL has also announced its icon players for the upcoming season. Magnus Carlsen will represent Alpine SG Pipers, Anand will play for Ganges Grandmasters, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave will lead Mumba Masters, Ian Nepomniachtchi will captain Triveni Continental Kings, and debutants Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri will join American Gambits and Alaskan Knights, respectively.The GCL is a unique chess league that features teams from around the world competing in a series of online matches. The league aims to promote chess and provide a platform for players to showcase their skills.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, has become a global sensation after his remarkable performance at the Norway Chess tournament. His victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen sent shockwaves through the chess world and cemented his status as a rising star.Praggnanandhaa's journey to the top has been marked by hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His victory over Carlsen was not a fluke; it was the culmination of years of training and preparation. The young Indian has a deep understanding of the game and an uncanny ability to calculate complex positions.Beyond his chess prowess, Praggnanandhaa is also known for his humility and respect for his opponents. He has a close relationship with Carlsen, who has praised Praggnanandhaa's talent and sportsmanship. The two players share a mutual respect and admiration, which has made their rivalry one of the most compelling in chess history.Praggnanandhaa's success has not only brought him fame but has also inspired a new generation of chess players in India. His achievements have helped to raise the profile of the game in the country and have shown that Indian players can compete with the best in the world.With the Paris Olympics 2024 approaching, Praggnanandhaa is eager to represent India on the global stage. He believes that chess has the potential to become an Olympic sport and is excited about the prospect of competing for a medal.Praggnanandhaa's journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and the support of family and friends. He is an inspiration to young people everywhere and a shining example of what can be achieved through passion and perseverance.

18-year-old Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has achieved a historic milestone by securing his first classical victory over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen. This triumph, which occurred in Round 3 of Norway Chess, marks a significant moment in Praggnanandhaa's career and underscores his exceptional talent.Praggnanandhaa's victory was not a fluke but rather the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. He has previously defeated Carlsen in faster time controls, but this classical win is a testament to his growing maturity and skill. Playing with the Black pieces, Praggnanandhaa exploited an inaccuracy in Carlsen's opening and seized the initiative.Carlsen's attempt to throw off Praggnanandhaa with a dubious opening choice backfired, as the Indian maintained a high level of accuracy throughout the game. Praggnanandhaa's superior calculation skills and gumption allowed him to outwit Carlsen and secure the win in 37 moves.Praggnanandhaa's victory is a significant achievement for Indian chess and a testament to the rising talent of young players. It also highlights the changing landscape of chess, where younger players are increasingly challenging the established elite.Praggnanandhaa's win came on the birthday of fellow Indian prodigy D Gukesh, who recently qualified for the World Championship challenger's tournament. This coincidence adds to the significance of Praggnanandhaa's victory and underscores the bright future of Indian chess.Despite his historic win, Praggnanandhaa remains humble and focused. He recognizes the importance of not letting emotions affect his performance and is determined to continue improving his game.

Indian chess is experiencing a surge of excitement and optimism. With a 17-year-old Grandmaster poised to challenge for the world championship and a new leadership team at the All India Chess Federation (AICF), the future looks bright.AICF President Nitin Narang has unveiled an ambitious ₹65 crore action plan, outlining measures to support players, enhance infrastructure, and promote the game at the grassroots level. The plan includes cash rewards for top players, contracts for age-group players, and the establishment of 20 online academies to provide coaching to promising young talents.Narang emphasizes the importance of sustainability and transparency in the federation's operations. He has secured funding commitments from several partners and plans to increase revenue through initiatives such as a national rating system and a unified registration process.The AICF is also exploring the possibility of hosting the Gukesh vs Ding Liren World Chess Championship in India later this year. Narang acknowledges the challenges involved but remains optimistic about securing the bid.To address the need for qualified coaches, the AICF will implement a "Train the Trainers" program. The federation also plans to incentivize chess content creators to promote the game and inspire aspiring players.Narang recognizes the importance of supporting women in chess and has introduced several initiatives, including increased representation in arbitration and expanded events under the "Smart Girl" program.The AICF's focus on grassroots development includes the establishment of district-level academies and a robust policy framework to ensure the proper training and support of young players.Narang emphasizes the need for an active and responsive federation that listens to stakeholders and addresses their concerns. He encourages feedback and ideas to enhance the action plan and build a sustainable and thriving chess ecosystem in India.