Rising Stars in Chess and Surfing: Aarit Kapil and Kamali Moorthy Shine at National Level

Delhi’s Aarit Kapil Becomes Youngest Indian International Master Norm Holder

Delhi, India – In a remarkable achievement for Indian chess, 10-year-old Aarit Kapil has made history by becoming the youngest Indian player to secure an International Master (IM) norm. The prodigious talent clinched this milestone after drawing with Australia’s Samuel Asaka in the final round of an international tournament held in Menorca, Spain.

Aarit’s journey to this prestigious title has been nothing short of extraordinary. The young chess enthusiast kicked off the tournament with a stunning victory over former world Under-20 champion and Grandmaster Nogerbek Kazybek from Kazakhstan in the second round. With this win, Aarit not only showcased his skills but also set the stage for his historic achievement.

At just 10 years and seven months old, Aarit has now etched his name in the annals of chess history, becoming the youngest Indian to hold an IM norm. His triumph follows a significant victory at the U-11 national championship last year, which served as a pivotal moment in his burgeoning career. Currently, he ranks second in the world among players born in 2015, a testament to his exceptional talent.

One of the highlights of Aarit’s tournament was a draw against 12-year-old International Master Oro Faustino of Argentina, who is often referred to as the ‘Messi of Chess.’ This encounter further solidified Aarit’s reputation on the international stage. Notably, he also held the reigning World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen to a draw during the ‘Early Titled Tuesday’ online tournament last year.

As Aarit continues to rise through the ranks, the chess community eagerly anticipates his future endeavors and contributions to the game.

Shivika Rohilla Becomes Woman International Master

Budapest, Hungary – In another inspiring achievement for Indian chess, 18-year-old Shivika Rohilla has officially become a Woman International Master (WIM). She secured this title after drawing with International Master Rudolf Sertic of Croatia in the final round of the First Saturday chess tournament.

Shivika’s journey to this milestone has been filled with determination and perseverance. After earning her first norm earlier this year, she faced challenges in the subsequent tournaments but remained undeterred. Scoring 4.5 points out of nine games in Budapest, she not only achieved her WIM title but also saw a significant rise in her chess rating.

With aspirations to complete her Woman Grandmaster title, Shivika joins the ranks of Delhi’s chess legends. Tania Sachdev was the first from the city to achieve the WIM title 24 years ago, followed by Sachi Jain just a month prior. Shivika’s accomplishment marks her as the third player from Delhi to earn this prestigious title.

As she sets her sights on further achievements, the chess community looks forward to witnessing Shivika’s continued growth and success in the sport.

Tamil Nadu Surfers Crowned National Champions

Little Andaman, India – The grand finale of the Little Andaman Pro 2026, hosted by the Andaman & Nicobar Tourism in collaboration with the Surfing Federation of India, concluded with thrilling performances from Tamil Nadu surfers. Sivaraj Babu emerged as the National Champion in the Men’s Open Final, scoring 13.63 and narrowly defeating Srikanth D, who finished with 13.33. Kishore Kumar and Sanjay Selvamani followed closely behind.

In the Women’s Open Final, Kamali Moorthy showcased her dominance by successfully defending her title with an impressive score of 15.83, winning by a significant margin of 4.19 points over Sugar Shanti Banarse. Devi Ramanathan and Riva Aurora rounded out the final standings.

The event also featured exciting competitions in the SUP Sprint categories, with Sekar Pachai and Vijayalakshmi Irulappan taking top honors in their respective races.

As the surfing community celebrates these achievements, the future looks bright for the sport in India, with young talents like Sivaraj and Kamali leading the way.

Published on Apr 12, 2026