Nihal Sarin: A Different Path to Success in Indian Chess

Indian chess player Nihal Sarin is making waves in the chess world once again, this time with a focus on classical chess. Seven years ago, Nihal became the youngest-ever Indian to cross the 2600 Elo barrier in live ratings at just 14 years and 10 months old. Now, at 20 years old, Nihal is on the brink of joining the elite 2700 club after his recent win at the Tashkent Open.

Unlike his Indian peers who have rapidly climbed the rankings and achieved great success in recent years, Nihal’s journey has been different. Known for his prowess in speed chess, Nihal has shifted his focus to classical chess and has seen success with two wins in his last three Open tournaments.

Nihal’s latest victory at the Tashkent Open, where he emerged as the top seed and took home $20,000, has propelled him to a rating of 2694.1, just shy of the coveted 2700 mark. Despite his success, Nihal remains humble and focused on improving his game, stating, “I am trying my best to not think or care about [ratings]. In the bigger picture, what really changes? Nothing much. So, what’s the point in bothering about it?”

With upcoming tournaments on the horizon, including the Menorca Open, Asian Championships, and Sharjah Masters, Nihal is determined to continue his success. His former coach, Srinath Narayanan, believes that Nihal’s recent results are just the beginning, stating, “Honestly, I feel his results are still catching up with his potential.”

As Nihal continues to hone his skills and make a name for himself in the world of classical chess, fans and fellow players alike are eager to see what the future holds for this young prodigy.