Top five all-time youngest Indian chess players to achieve FIDE rating
Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha is the youngest Indian chess player to achieve a FIDE rating
The Indian chess players have taken the world by storm with their standout performances over the last few years. Be it the World Cup, the Candidates, Olympiad, or the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Indian players have excelled across all competitions, making the nation a powerhouse in the sport.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh Dommaraju, and Arjun Erigaisi are among the top 10 men’s players in the world. Meanwhile, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh are giving a run for their money to women’s athletes.
Their consistent performances have fueled the hopes of young chess players in the country, with many of them taking up the game at an early age. Let’s take a look at the top five youngest Indian chess players to achieve a FIDE rating so far.
Note: To be ranked by FIDE, a player needs to beat at least one international opponent while to earn a FIDE rating, a player needs to achieve a minimum threshold of 1400 ratings.
5. Nivaan Khandhadia – 6 years and 2 months
Nivaan Khandhadia was born in February 2012 and earned the FIDE rating in May 2018. At six years and two months, he was the youngest chess player to achieve the feat. Notably, Nivaan achieved the rating at the Holi Cup Lakecity Open FIDE Rating 2018 tournament. He beat opponents older than him, with the oldest aged 30.
According to a Times of India report, Nivaan had won 17 trophies and nine medals at the district and state level tournaments before achieving the FIDE rating.
4. Aarini Lahoty – 5 years and 10 months
Born in September 2019, Aarini Lahoty broke Udhriti Bhattacharya’s record to become the youngest-ever female to earn a FIDE rating. Aarini produced consistent performances in the Delhi International Open and Assam University Championship.
At just five years and 10 months as of August 11, Aarini was the top-rated chess player in her age group and boasted a FIDE rating of 1551.
3. Tejas Tiwari – 5 years and 5 months
Tejas Tiwari was born in December 2017 and achieved the FIDE rating at the age of five years and five months in May 2023. He accomplished the milestone at the Late Dhiraj Singh Raghuvanshi Open FIDE-rated Chess Tournament. He secured four draws and two wins to get a FIDE rating of 1149.
Tejas’s chess journey began at the age of 4. He started playing chess in district and state-level competitions and gradually participated in national-level competitions.
2. Anish Sarkar – 3 years and 8 months
Born in January 2021, Anish Sarkar achieved the feat with a rating of 1555 at the age of three years and eight months. He created history with his stellar performances in the West Bengal U9 and U13 Championships.
The U-9 tournament saw him return with a score of 5.5/8, with two wins coming against ranked opponents. By participating in the U13 event, Sarkar had achieved the minimum score to obtain a FIDE rating in November 2024.
1. Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha – 3 years and 7 months
At 3 years, 7 months and 20 days, Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha has become the youngest-ever FIDE-rated chess player. Hailing from Sagar district in Madhya Pradesh, he achieved that milestone on December 2, 2025.
At the time of writing, the 2022 born player has a rating of 1572 on the International Chess Federation Rankings list. To be ranked, an individual needs to beat at least one international player.
Interestingly, Sarwagya defeated three such opponents during his appearances in tournaments across Madhya Pradesh and Mangaluru.
Who is the youngest Indian chess player to earn a FIDE rating?
Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, at the age of 3 years, 7 month and 20 days, has become the youngest-ever FIDE-rated chess player. Botn in 2022, Sarwagya achieved the feat on December 2, 2025.
Who is the youngest female chess player to earn a FIDE rating?
That record is held by Aarin Lahoty, who at the age of five years, 10 months became the youngest-ever female to warn a FIDE rating. She achieved this feat on August 11, 2024.
Who are the five all-time youngest Indian chess players to earn FIDE rating?
Here are the five all-time youngest Indians to earn FIDE ratings.
1. Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha – 3 years and 7 months
2. Anish Sarkar – 3 years and 8 months
3. Tejas Tiwari – 5 years and 5 months
4. Aarini Lahoty – 5 years and 10 months
5. Nivaan Khandhadia – 6 years and 2 months
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Farzan is a journalist at Khel Now covering Indian Olympic sports and kabaddi. With five years of experience working with major sports organizations like Chennaiyin FC, Dabang Delhi K.C., Rajasthan Royals, and Yuva Kabaddi Series, he brings diverse expertise. Farzan has covered two Olympics, one Commonwealth Games, and one Asian Games, making his knowledge of Indian sports broad and versatile.
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