India has added another name to its growing list of chess prodigies, and this time, it’s a child who hasn’t even completed nursery school.
At just three years and seven months old, Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha has stunned the chess world by becoming the youngest player ever to earn an official FIDE rating.
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The Madhya Pradesh youngster achieved what most players take years to accomplish, and he did so by beating multiple internationally rated opponents.
His rapid rise reflects both his talent and India’s strengthening position in world chess.
Who is Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha?
As per multiple reports, Sarwagya secured his rating after defeating three FIDE-rated players in tournaments held across Madhya Pradesh and Mangaluru.
To enter the official list, a player must beat at least one internationally rated opponent, but Sarwagya went well beyond that requirement.
His performance pushed him past the 1400 threshold, and he now holds an impressive rapid rating of 1572, a remarkable figure for someone who only recently learned to read and write.
Sarwagya’s achievement breaks the previous record held by Kolkata’s Anish Sarkar, who earned his rating at three years, eight months and 19 days.
| Rank | Player Name | Age When They Earned FIDE Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha | 3 years 7 months |
| 2 | Anish Sarkar | 3 years 8 months |
| 3 | Tejas Tiwari | 5 years 5 months |
| 4 | Aarini Lahoty | 5 years 10 months |
| 5 | Nivaan Khandhadia | 6 years 2 months |
How Sarwagya began his journey in chess
According to his parents, Siddharth and Shruti Singh, Sarwagya’s chess journey began simply as a way to reduce screen time.
But it quickly became clear that he had a natural ability for the game. After just six months of structured training, he managed to defeat his first rated opponent.
He now trains under personal coach Nitin Chaurasia and national instructor Akash Pyaasi, spending roughly four hours a day studying openings, tactics and endgames. His father told ETV Bharat the milestone is “a matter of great pride,” and the family hopes he will one day pursue the title of grandmaster.
India’s growing might in chess
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand is one of India's greatest sportsmen. He has now inspired a generation of chess stars. During the last world championship cycle, India had three representatives at the Candidates chess men's tournament and Gukesh Dommaraju went on to win the world crown.
Sarwagya now joins a new wave of young stars who are achieving milestones at unprecedented ages.
With more structured training programmes and rising interest across the country, prodigies are emerging earlier than ever, and Sarwagya’s record only strengthens India’s reputation as a global hub for young chess talent.
His journey is still in its early stages, but his rapid progress suggests there’s much more to come.
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