Rising Star: Aarit Kapil Secures First International Master Norm at Just 10 Years Old
Indian Chess Prodigy Aarit Kapil Secures International Master Norm at Just 10
Menorca, Spain – In a remarkable display of skill and determination, 10-year-old Aarit Kapil has made headlines once again in the chess world by securing his first International Master (IM) norm at the Menorca Open, held from April 7-12. The young prodigy from New Delhi, who gained fame last year for drawing against world champion Magnus Carlsen, has now solidified his status as one of the most promising talents in chess.
Aarit’s journey at the Menorca Open was nothing short of extraordinary. Competing against a field that included three Grandmasters (GMs) and four International Masters (IMs), he finished with an impressive score of 5 out of 9, achieving a performance rating of 2453. This feat comes on the heels of his recent accomplishment of breaking the 3000 barrier in blitz on Chess.com, making him the youngest player to do so.
“I never expected that out of seven games against a rating average of 2500 I would get 3.5 points. I was very happy about that. I think I played really well in this tournament,” Aarit shared in a video interview with Chess.com.
A Stellar Start
Aarit kicked off the tournament with a bang, winning his first three games, including a notable victory over GM Kazybek Nogerbek, the 2024 World Junior Champion. “I just thought that ‘okay, he is a world junior champion, but I can beat him because I have drawn Magnus Carlsen!'” he laughed, showcasing his confidence and competitive spirit.
Despite facing tough competition, Aarit managed to hold his own, drawing against notable players like GM Bryce Tiglon and IM Faustino Oro. However, his path wasn’t without challenges; he faced setbacks in the later rounds, losing to GM Alisher Suleymanov after a grueling endgame that lasted 124 moves.
A Bright Future Ahead
At just 10 years and 7 months old, Aarit joins an elite group of players who have achieved an IM norm before their 11th birthday. Only four players in history have accomplished this feat, and Aarit is now on track to potentially become a Grandmaster (GM) in the coming years. He still needs two more norms and a rating increase to 2400 to secure the title.
“I am feeling very happy that I finally made a norm,” Aarit said after securing his draw in the final round. “I lost two games in a row, so I just made a draw to achieve the norm.”
His coach, GM Srinath Narayanan, expressed pride in Aarit’s achievements, stating, “I won’t be surprised to see him become a GM in the next two to three years.” He noted that Aarit’s rapid improvement and passion for chess set him apart from his peers.
Focused on Improvement
Despite his accolades, Aarit remains grounded. “I just want to become a good player and play my best in every tournament,” he said. “I don’t think about these things—I just want to make the best moves on the board.”
As Aarit continues to rise through the ranks, the chess community eagerly anticipates his next moves. With his talent and determination, the young prodigy is undoubtedly a name to watch in the world of chess.