3-Year-Old Indian Becomes Youngest FIDE-Rated Player

In yet another remarkable feat for Indian chess, three-year-old Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, has claimed the title of the world’s youngest FIDE-rated player. At just 3 years, 7 months, and 13 days old, the prodigy earned a rapid rating of 1572 in the December 2025 FIDE list, eclipsing the record previously held by Anish Sarkar. Sarwagya’s journey began in September 2025 at the 24th RCC Rapid Rated Cup, where he toppled a 1542-rated opponent. He followed with a win against a 1559-rated player at the 2nd Shri Dadaji Dhuniwale Rapid Rating Open in October. November brought further victories in Chhindwara and Indore, including defeats of 1542- and 1696-rated foes, securing his rating after competing against five rated players.

Born in 2022, Sarwagya joins a lineage of young Indian talents, following Anish’s milestone at 3 years, 8 months, and 19 days in November 2024. India #5 took note of the little player on X:

As chess grows ever younger, this little phenom, beaming with a gold medal and certificate in hand, signals the dawn of another era. Watch this space—Sarwagya’s next move could redefine genius.