In a remarkable moment for Indian sports, three-year-old Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha from Madhya Pradesh has achieved what many take years or decades to accomplish. He has become the youngest player in the world to be ranked by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), securing a Rapid rating of 1572 at the age of 3 years, 7 months, and 21 days.

This milestone builds on the legacy of West Bengal’s Anish Sarkar, who entered the FIDE charts at 3 years and 8 months. With Sarwagya’s achievement, India now celebrates yet another remarkable prodigy who continues to inspire chess lovers across the globe.

The Road to a World Record

To earn a place in FIDE rankings, players must defeat at least one internationally rated opponent. Sarwagya did far more, as he defeated three international-level players in a matter of months.

His growing list of competitions spans several Indian cities, including Bhopal, Khandwa, Chhindwara, and Mangaluru, where he played fearlessly against seasoned opponents. His humble yet confident “yes” when asked whether he won in these cities speaks volumes about his natural flair and stunning poise.

For a child who doesn’t yet grasp words like “Grandmaster” or “FIDE,” Sarwagya has certainly mastered the game that millions worldwide cherish.

A Talent Discovered by Chance

Born in 2022 in Sagar district, Sarwagya was introduced to chess through district-level initiatives supported by Collector Sandeep GR, who has been instrumental in promoting chess across the region.

Interestingly, his parents first encouraged him to pick up the game so he would stay away from mobile screens. That simple decision soon revealed a prodigy.

What began as a pastime quickly became a passion. Within days, Sarwagya started understanding the rules and movements. Recognizing his unusual grasp of the game, his parents arranged personal coaching and online training. The transformation was swift—just six months later, he entered the FIDE world rankings.

The Team Behind the Wonder Kid

Sarwagya’s coaches, Nitin Chaurasia, his personal coach, and Akash Pyaasi, a national instructor, trained him nearly four hours each day. Both were astonished by his learning speed, memory, and maturity on the board.

His father, Siddharth Singh Kushwaha, said that Sarwagya had learnt the rules so quickly that they felt they should educate him further, and that he was soon playing like an expert. His mother, Neha Singh Kushwaha, believes it is a blessing:
“Whether our dreams come true or not depends on hard work and God’s grace. God has blessed our child.”

A Bright Future Ahead

For a child who spends his days hopping from one tournament to another, Sarwagya’s joy is simple—he just wants to “play in places that are good."

But for India, his journey is far more symbolic: a reflection of how early exposure, grassroots initiatives, and parental encouragement can create world-beaters.

With his parents dreaming of a Grandmaster title and the chess fraternity watching closely, young Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha stands at the cusp of a dazzling career, one that’s already made history before he even starts school.