3-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Chess Player with FIDE Rating

Does early chess mastery showcase exceptional talent and dedication, or does it push toddlers beyond appropriate developmental limits?

Published 23 hours ago

3-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Chess Player with FIDE Rating

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Above: A chessboard during Grand Chess Tour 2025 - Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland in Warsaw Poland on April 29, 2025. Image credit: Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Spin

Narrative A

Kushwaha's feat proves that raw talent and early dedication can triumph over age barriers. After just six months of training, this prodigy defeated multiple international opponents with razor-sharp moves. When parents channel kids away from screens and toward intellectual pursuits like chess, extraordinary achievements become possible.

The Better India on X

Jayant Singh on X

Narrative B

Pushing toddlers into international chess tournaments raises serious concerns about appropriate developmental timelines and undue pressure on young children. International chess players recognize that 6 or 7 years old is a far more suitable age to begin FIDE competition. Record-chasing at such an extreme age prioritizes parental ambitions over childhood development.

The Juggernaut on X