3-Year-Old Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha Becomes Youngest Player on FIDE Rating List, Debuts at 1572

Sarwagya Singh Kushwaha, a 3-year-old from Madhya Pradesh, India, has become the youngest chess player ever to appear on an official International Chess Federation (FIDE) rating list. FIDE confirmed on its Facebook page that the toddler debuted on the December 2025 rapid rating list with a rating of 1572 at the age of 3 years, 7 months, and 20 days.

How the Rating Was Earned

To receive a FIDE rating a player must score points against at least five already-rated opponents and meet a minimum rating threshold (1400 for inclusion in the list). Kushwaha met those requirements during events this year, making his rapid rating official on the December 2025 list.

Training and Daily Routine

Kushwaha’s father, Siddharth Singh, told The Indian Express that Sarwagya began learning chess at about two years old and was enrolled in formal coaching last year after the family noticed his quick ability to absorb new information. Siddharth said his son practices four to five hours each day — roughly an hour at a chess training centre in Sagar and the remainder online.

“Within a week of being taught chess he could name all the pieces accurately,” Siddharth told The Indian Express. “He loves the sport a lot. If you wake him up in the middle of the night and ask him to play, he will for hours without a break. What separates him from other kids his age is his patience to sit at the board and not get restless.”

Notable Wins and Context

During 2025 Kushwaha recorded notable victories over adult opponents: Yogesh Namdev (rating 1696), Abhijeet Awasthi (rating 1542) and Shubham Chourasiya (rating 1559). These wins helped him accumulate the required points against rated players to qualify for a FIDE rating.

Before Kushwaha, the youngest player to appear on a FIDE list was Anish Sarkar, also from India, who debuted last year at 3 years, 8 months and 19 days with a rating of 1550.

Why It Matters

Kushwaha’s rapid-rating debut at 1572 places him ahead of the previous youngest rated player in FIDE’s historical records and highlights both his exceptional early skill and the increasing visibility of youth chess development in India. His achievement is notable not only for the age factor but also for the level of play required to reach a three-figure rapid rating against adult opponents.