It was a heartwarming moment in Kolkata on Tuesday evening when young Indian chess prodigy Anish Sarkar met his idol, Magnus Carlsen. The three-year-old toddler, who has already become the youngest-rated chess player in history, had a dream come true as he interacted with the world champion.
Not only did the little one share the stage with the Norwegian chess legend, but he also received words of encouragement from him. For Carlsen, advice to the youngest-ever FIDE-rated player (rating of 1555) meant enjoying the game rather than obsessing over ratings and titles, stressing particularly on the importance of having fun.
Admiring Anish's talent, Carlsen said, "It's incredible how young he is. My nephew, who is about to turn four, is a bright child but nowhere near a 1500 rating. Anish is truly remarkable."
Magnus Carlsen and Anish Sarkar meet up at the Taj !#kolkata#tatasteelchessindia#chess#indianchess#magnuscarlsen#anishsarkarpic.twitter.com/KVRKf4gukF
— Rahul ® ⎷ (@RahulSadhu009) November 12, 2024
For Anish, who idolises Carlsen, the meeting was nothing short of magical, and he even received an autograph from the World No.1. His mother, Reema, who has been supportive yet mindful of maintaining a balance in his life, revealed that Anish's only true love is chess. Speaking to Sports Now, she shared, "He doesn't even understand the magnitude of this moment. He just loves being around the chessboard. Records mean little to him right now; all he wants is to play."
While Anish has quickly gained media attention, his mother is trying to keep his life as normal as possible, focusing on academics and allowing him to be a playful child. "At the chess academy, he trains for about eight hours, but at home, we keep things simple and let him enjoy his childhood," she added as Anish gleefully ran around the stage, unaware of the historical significance of the evening.
Carlsen, who is known for his support of upcoming players, praised the new wave of young chess talent in India. "I'm always eager to test myself against younger players. The younger generation brings a fresh perspective to the game, which keeps things exciting," he said. Acknowledging India's strong youth chess programs and their impact, adding, "There's excellent work happening in India's chess scene, and we're already seeing amazing results."
For Anish Sarkar, this is just the beginning of his chess journey and with his passion and help from experienced mentors, he is likely to have a bright future. For now, he is just a young boy, excited by the 64 squares and aiming to have fun.