Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

12-year-old Abhimanyu Mishra breaks youngest grandmaster record

12-year-old Abhimanyu Mishra breaks youngest grandmaster record

SERGEY KARJAKIN at 12 years seven months was the youngest grandmaster ever, but on Wednesday (30), Abhimanyu Mishra, from Englishtown, New Jersey, US, broke that record at 12 years four months.

Mishra, who was already the youngest ever international master at 10 years nine months, finally achieved his third and final GM norm, with 2500 rating requirement a few weeks ago. The title is soon expected to be confirmed by Fide.


He beat Karjakin’s 2002 feat to take the record that has been previously held by Boris Spassky, Bobby Fischer and Judit Polgar. Karjakin's record was under threat with attempts made by the current generation of young Indian chess players. But Mishra's focussed approach with competitive play despite the pandemic allowed him to break the long-standing record with 66 days to spare.

Mishra learned to play chess at two-and-a-half, but his father's smart move of flying him to Budapest from US, which currently has a continuous series of GM and IM tournaments, helped.

The Guardian reports that Mishra after landing in Budapest was actively competing since April, scoring all three needed GM norms (performance levels at 2600) plus a 2500 overall rating. At Budapest First Saturday in May, he scored an impressive unbeaten 8/9 with a winning margin of three points.

His tournament performance rating (TPR) of 2735, was almost certainly the youngest 2700+ TPR in chess history, and the first ever by a preteen.

But the real target of Mishra and his father, Hemant, are to break the records for reaching 2600 (strong GM) and 2700 (elite GM). The Guardian added several players have passed 2600 strength at 14. At 2700, elite GM, the youngest have been China’s Wei Yi at 15 years eight months and Iran-born Alireza Firouzja at 16 years one month.

Youngest GM became official in 1950, when Fide issued its first list of titles. David Bronstein was then the youngest at 26, followed by Tigran Petrosian at 23 in 1952, Boris Spassky at 18 in 1955, and Bobby Fischer at 15 in 1958. The last three all became world champions.

Fischer held the record for over 30 years before the all-time No. 1 woman, Judit Polgar, broke it in 1991, after which it was gradually lowered until Karjakin, then of Ukraine and now Russia, took it in 2002.

Karjakin was sure his record would be broken by an Indian. “I am quite philosophical about this because it has been almost 20 years. It had to be broken sooner or later. I was sure one of the Indian guys would do it much earlier, and I was lucky that it didn’t happen.

"I am a little sad that I lost the record, but at the same time I can only congratulate him and it’s no problem. I hope that he will go on to be one of the top chess players and that it will be a nice start to his big career,” he was quoted as saying.

Mishra will now take part in the 206-player World Cup in Sochi starting on 10 July, where Carlsen is the top seed and the 12-year-old has been given a wildcard entry by Fide.

More For You

Modi 75th birthday issue of Garavi Gujarat and Eastern Eye

Blackman in turn praised Modi as a “remarkable leader” who had transformed India’s global position

Modi 75th birthday issue of Garavi Gujarat and Eastern Eye released at UK Commons event

A special publication marking the 75th birthday of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi was launched at the House of Commons on Wednesday (17) in a celebration that brought together political leaders, spiritual figures, and members of the British-Asian community.

The event, hosted by the International Siddhashram Shakti Centre UK in collaboration with Garavi Gujarat and Eastern Eye, coincided with the Hindu festival of Navratri.

Keep ReadingShow less
Apollo-BCCI

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said the new contract with Apollo Tyres runs until March 2028. (Photo: BCCI)

Apollo Tyres replaces Dream11 as Team India’s lead sponsor until 2028

INDIAN cricket has signed Apollo Tyres as its new lead sponsor after fantasy sports platform Dream11 ended its contract following a government ban on online gambling.

The men's team travelled to the United Arab Emirates for the ongoing Asia Cup without a sponsor on their shirts after Dream11 exited the deal, which was worth about $44 million and was set to run until 2026.

Keep ReadingShow less
Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Toshi.bet: Revolutionizing Crypto Gaming with High Rewards and Innovative Gameplay

Introduction

In the rapidly evolving world of crypto casinos, one platform is standing out for its innovative gameplay, unmatched rewards, and community-driven growth — Toshi.bet. Recognized by CoinMarketCap as a pioneer in crypto gaming, Toshi.bet is transforming how players interact with digital assets while gaming.

Why Toshi.bet Is Leading the Crypto Casino Industry

1. Best Rewards in Crypto Gaming

Keep ReadingShow less
China Nvidia chip ban

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports

iStock

China reportedly bans Nvidia chip sales as CEO expresses disappointment

Highlights:

  • China’s Cyberspace Administration has reportedly ordered tech firms to stop using Nvidia’s AI chips
  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says he is “disappointed” but will remain “patient”
  • Huang is visiting the UK alongside other tech leaders during Donald Trump’s state visit
  • Nvidia became the world’s first $4tn company earlier in 2025 amid the AI boom

Huang responds to reported China directive

Nvidia boss Jensen Huang has said he is “disappointed” following reports that China has told its leading technology firms to halt purchases of the company’s artificial intelligence chips.

Speaking to reporters in the UK, Huang added that he would remain “patient” in light of the reported order from China’s internet regulator, the Cyberspace Administration. “There are a lot of places we can’t go to, and that’s fine,” he said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tagenarine Chanderpaul,

Tagenarine Chanderpaul. (Photo by PAT HOELSCHER/AFP via Getty Images)

Chanderpaul, Athanaze return as West Indies name squad for India tour

BATSMEN Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Alick Athanaze were recalled to the West Indies ranks when they were named in the squad to tour India on Tuesday (16) while left-arm spinner Khary Pierre is included for the first time.

The two-Test series, with matches in Ahmedabad and Delhi, marks the West Indies' first tour to India since 2018 and forms part of the World Test Championship.

Keep ReadingShow less