Four-year-old Anish Sarkar, the youngest FIDE-rated chess player, is capturing hearts with his extraordinary talent. Trained by Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua, Anish spends hours honing his skills at the academy, even after school. His journey began at age three with a gifted chess set, and he quickly showcased brilliance, winning titles and impressing legends like Magnus Carlsen. Despite challenges, including financial constraints, his parents support his passion wholeheartedly. With sharp memory and determination, Anish exemplifies the boundless possibilities of youthful talent.
With a measured move, Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua slides his white bishop five squares diagonally, putting the black king in check. Across the board, his opponent—a four-year-old Anish Sarkar—sits with his legs folded on the chair, adding a few inches to his tiny frame. Without hesitation, Anish counters by placing his rook between the bishop and king, opening a clear path for his bishop to deliver a reverse check. Barua’s eyes widen in surprise before his years of experience help him navigate out of the trap.
“He almost got me there,” Barua chuckles. It's not the first time young Anish has stunned the chess maestro. Anish has been training under Barua at the Dhanuka Dhunseri Dibyendu Barua Chess Academy in South Kolkata, a significant distance from his home in Kaikhali, a northern suburb of the city. Barua is confident about the boy’s future. “If he continues to love chess the way he does now, he can achieve anything,” he says.
When asked if Anish has ever defeated his coach, the preschooler shakes his head, eyes fixed on the board. Does he hope to win someday? “Yes,” he nods, arranging the pieces meticulously. When pressed about when that might happen, he glances mischievously at Barua and whispers, “Later.”
A Rising Star in the Chess World
Anish, who began playing chess a little over a year ago, has already earned the distinction of being the youngest FIDE-rated player in the world. He claimed this milestone in October last year when he triumphed over two rated players at the Bengal State U-9 Chess Championship.
His journey began in 2023 when, not even three years old, he received a chess set as a Durga Puja gift from his uncle. “We were wondering what sport to introduce him to,” says his mother, Reshma Chatterjee. “The chess pieces were big enough to keep him from putting them in his mouth, and I could keep him engaged while finishing household chores.” Little did the family know that chess would soon become an inseparable part of Anish’s life.
Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anish turned four this past Republic Day. Just weeks later, he clinched his first title by winning an Under-8 tournament organized by the Howrah District Chess Association.
A Day in the Life of a Prodigy
Anish spends around eight hours at the chess academy, four days a week. “That is also his home,” Reshma shares. A kindergarten student at St. James’ School, Anish heads straight to the academy after classes. Reshma accompanies him, carrying three meals for the day—lunch, snacks, and dinner. “We finish his dinner here because it takes two hours to get home. By then, Anish is fast asleep,” she explains.
With his father, a schoolteacher, as the sole earner in the family, Reshma often relies on public transport. “There are challenges,” she admits, recounting an incident where a fellow bus passenger recognized Anish and offered him a seat. However, snide remarks from others followed, questioning why a national award winner needed to use public transport. “We try to shield him from negativity. He is so young,” Reshma says, explaining the family’s media shyness.
Like most children his age, Anish is full of energy. While he can sit through a three-hour classical chess game with intense focus, he rarely stays still otherwise. Whether pacing, dropping a pencil, or flashing a mischievous smile, his playful demeanor charms everyone around him. After losing to an older opponent, Anish nonchalantly remarks, “Black won,” before demonstrating the sequence of moves that forced white (himself) into surrender. Win or lose, his reward remains the same—his favorite biryani. “That’s his demand, no matter the outcome,” Reshma laughs.
Brush with Greatness
Anish’s rapid rise has earned him recognition from some of the biggest names in chess. At the Tata Steel Chess Tournament last November, he met Magnus Carlsen, widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history. Did Anish feel starstruck? That’s hard to say, but his memory of the encounter is vivid. “Wow! So young and already 1500 rating points!” Carlsen had remarked.
In December, Anish also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who playfully asked, “Chess sikhte ho?” (Do you play chess?) Even President Draupadi Murmu expressed amazement during their meeting. “I was overwhelmed, but Anish was unbothered,” Reshma recalls.
Among his idols, Anish Giri stands out. “We share the same name,” the young prodigy says with a grin.
A Future Full of Promise
Barua highlights Anish’s sharp memory and quick learning ability as his biggest strengths. “When his parents first brought him to us, we were hesitant because he was only three years and two months old,” Barua admits. “But after they insisted, I decided to test him. He solved almost every position I set up. Then, to my surprise, he set up a chessboard for me perfectly, replicating a position he had seen on YouTube. That’s when I decided to train him.” Barua now conducts special sessions tailored for Anish.
Anish’s journey began with curiosity, watching his father and uncle play chess. But it was YouTube that became his primary teacher. “He can spend hours watching videos online,” Reshma says. A former teacher herself, she left her job to support her son’s passion. “We don’t know if he’ll continue to love chess, but he does for now. My job is to support him to the best of my ability.”
As Anish’s story unfolds, one thing is clear: the four-year-old is not just a chess prodigy but a testament to passion, perseverance, and the power of dreams.
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