Indian Prodigy Anish Sarkar Becomes World’s Youngest Ranked Chess Player at Age 3

At just three years old, Anish Sarkar from Kolkata has made history by becoming the world’s youngest chess player to be ranked by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Despite his young age, Sarkar has already made a name for himself in the chess world, showcasing his talent and determination.

Sarkar’s journey to becoming a ranked chess player began when he enrolled at the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy in March. He quickly made his mark by competing in the Under-9 tournament and finishing 24th, defeating two rated opponents along the way. He then participated in an Under-13 state event, where he faced five rated players and earned his spot in the official FIDE rankings.

Currently, Sarkar has a rating of 1555 and is ranked 146,736 in the world among active players. But how exactly do chess players like Sarkar earn their ratings and rankings from FIDE?

According to the FIDE Qualification Commission, players obtain official ratings by participating in FIDE-rated tournaments. These tournaments can be organized by a country’s chess federation or independent organizations with FIDE’s permission. To be included in the rating list, players must be registered through a national chess federation that is a member of FIDE.

There are three types of ratings that players can achieve: Standard, Rapid, and Blitz, which reflect different game lengths. In order to obtain a Standard rating, players must play at least five games against rated opponents and score at least ½ point in those games. FIDE regulations also state that a player must have a rating of at least 1400 to be included in the rating list.

Achieving a FIDE Classical or Standard rating of 2500, plus three Grandmaster norms, is considered the highest honor in chess. These norms are defined by a set of rules regarding tournaments, games, and players outlined in the FIDE Title Regulations.

Anish Sarkar’s remarkable achievement at such a young age serves as an inspiration to young chess players around the world, showing that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible in the world of chess.