How Pandemic Helped Indian-American Abhimanyu Become World’s Youngest Chess Grandmaster

At an age when most of us were busy playing video games, fighting with our siblings for our favourite toys, deciding who was more powerful- Superman or Batman, Abhimanyu Mishra, an American child prodigy of Indian-origin, has scripted history, becoming the youngest chess Grandmaster in the world.

Abhimanyu achieved the highest title in chess at the age of 12 years, four months and 25 days, shattering Sergey Karjakin’s 19-year-old record (12-years-and-7 months) by over two months. 

However, the road to glory wasn’t as easy as it seemed.

The boy from New Jersey already holds the youngest International Master distinction which he earned in November 2019 at 10 years, 9 months and 20 days. In doing so, he had gone past India’s R Praggnanandhaa’s record.

— Susan Ninan (@ninansusan) June 30, 2021

Ever since he became the world’s youngest International Master last year at the age of 10 years, 9 months and 20 days, Abhimanyu had set his eyes on his next goal which was to become the world’s youngest Grandmaster and he achieved the feat thanks to the coronavirus pandemic.

How, you ask? The event — Vezerkepzo GM Mix — where Abhimanyu created the new world record wasn’t supposed to happen and took players only because several players had stayed back due to the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Finally checkmated the biggest opponent (ongoing pandemic ) which stopped me for 14 months. Thanks everybody for all your love and support.
Looking forward for World cup. pic.twitter.com/llao5ZMMhC

— Abhimanyu.mishra.chess (Youngest GM) in the world) (@ChessMishra) June 30, 2021

So, the organisers in Budapest decided to conduct the event just to provide him with one final shot at the record and the rest, as they say, is history. Abhimanyu was invited to take part in the FIDE World Cup in Sochi and knew this would be his last chance this month before leaving for Russia.

Apart from the fact that he was born in an Indo-American family, Abhimanyu’s story had another Indian connection. He scripted history after defeating 15-year-old Indian GM Leon Luke Mendonca.

© Chess Federation

Only five players in history have managed to get the prestigious title before their 13th birthday, which proves how difficult of a task it is to achieve.

Three years ago, India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu came close to breaking Karjakin’s record but missed it by a close margin. He became the GM at 12 years, 10 months, 13 days.

© BCCL

Another child prodigy, Gukesh Dommaraju, became India’s youngest GM at the age of 12 years, 7 months, 17 days. He is the world’s third-youngest Grandmaster, only behind Abhimanyu and Karjakin.

With congratulations pouring in from all quarters, many described him as a threat to the supremacy of Magnus Carlsen — the No. 1 chess player in the world — and the speed at which Abhimanyu is going after records, we wouldn’t be surprised if he went on to become the next big thing in chess.

@MagnusCarlsen in danger ☠️

— Vivek Subramanian (@Vivek5_S) June 30, 2021

pic.twitter.com/GrfrfHK7J9

— M®️ (@MartinRossini) June 30, 2021