A three-year-old from Madhya Pradesh has made history by becoming the youngest chess player in the world to earn an official rating from the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, a nursery school student from Sagar district, achieved a rapid rating of 1,572, defeating three FIDE-rated opponents in local and national tournaments.
The achievement comes at 3 years, 7 months, and 20 days, surpassing the previous record set by another young Indian just a year ago. Sarwagya’s success reflects not only his natural talent but also his early exposure to structured chess training, which began as a way to reduce screen time for the toddler.
His parents say that Sarwagya showed a keen interest in chess almost immediately and quickly progressed from simple learning games to competitive play. Despite his young age, he demonstrated remarkable focus and strategy during matches, impressing coaches and opponents alike.
Sarwagya’s father expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement, calling it a “matter of great honour” and hoping that this early success could pave the way for him to become a grandmaster in the future.
India has a strong tradition of nurturing chess talent, and Sarwagya’s record highlights the growing pool of young prodigies emerging at the grassroots level. His achievement not only sets a new global benchmark but also serves as an inspiring example of how dedication and early encouragement can reveal extraordinary potential, even in the tiniest of players.
With his record-breaking rating, Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha has become a symbol of India’s next generation of chess talent, showing that age is no barrier when it comes to brilliance.
