Nine-Year-Old Luca Protopopescu Becomes Youngest Player to Achieve 2200 FIDE Rating

Nine-year-old chess prodigy Luca Protopopescu from Marseille, France, has made history by becoming the youngest player ever to achieve a FIDE classical rating of over 2200. Just days after celebrating his ninth birthday, Luca surpassed this milestone by beating his former coach, IM Guillaume Philippe.

This remarkable achievement comes just nine months after FM Ethan Pang from England broke the previous record set by Argentina’s IM Faustino Oro. Protopopescu now leads the list of youngest players to reach a 2200 rating, surpassing both Pang and Oro by achieving this feat at the age of nine years and five days.

With an impressive performance at recent tournaments in France, Luca gained 321 rating points in just two months, climbing from 1895 to 2216. His standout victories include winning the B group of the Cannes International tournament with a 2276 rating performance and another tournament in Hyeres with a performance rating of 2336.

Despite his young age, Luca’s success has not gone unnoticed. He is now ranked number one among players under 10 worldwide, number 328 in France, and number 7,185 globally by FIDE. His rapid rise in the chess world has drawn comparisons to other talented children who took up the game during the pandemic and achieved extraordinary results.

Coached by GM Mert Erdogdu since September, Protopopescu has also secured a sponsorship deal with Turkish investor Evren Ucok. His coach praises Luca’s concentration and calculating abilities, affirming that he truly plays at a 2200 level.

Next week, Luca will compete in the World Youth Rapid & Blitz Championships in Rhodes, Greece, where he is expected to be a top contender. Despite his success, Luca remains focused on enjoying the game, stating, “I prefer playing more than winning.”

The young chess sensation’s journey to the top serves as an inspiration to aspiring players worldwide, showcasing the potential for greatness at any age in the world of chess.