Youngest and Oldest Participants at the 2025 FIDE World Cup

The 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa, India, celebrates chess as a game that transcends age and gender, uniting players through the 64 squares. This year, the tournament features a 43 years age difference of its youngest and oldest participants, showcasing the sport’s remarkable inclusivity.

At just 11 years old, Argentina’s Faustino Oro (born October 14, 2013) steps onto the global stage. A prodigy with a rating above 2500 and a grandmaster norm, the “Messi of chess” earned a wildcard as one of chess’s brightest young stars. His enterprising and youthful play proves that brilliance knows no age limit.

Meanwhile, India’s Anish Sarkar, the youngest ever FIDE-rated player at age 3 years and 10 months, deserves mention. Though not competing, Sarkar’s early achievements signal a new generation pushing chess’s boundaries.

At the other end, FIDE Master (FM) from Morocco, Jacques Elbilia (born in 1971) sets a record as one the oldest participant at 54 years and 6 months. A FIDE Master with a 2332 rating, who starts as a huge underdog in the tournament, Elbilia’s presence reflects chess’s enduring appeal.

Seasoned Grandmasters such as England’s Michael Adams (53) and Hungary’s Peter Leko (46) further enrich this diverse field. From Oro’s youthful energy to Elbilia’s seasoned resolve, the 2025 World Cup highlights chess as a bridge across generations. In a world often divided, the board remains a space where an 11-year-old prodigy and a 54-year-old veteran compete as equals, proving chess’s timeless, barrier-breaking spirit.