9-Year-Old Aarit Kapil Stuns Chess Grandmaster

Nine-year-old Aarit Kapil, a budding chess prodigy from Delhi, made history by becoming the youngest Indian to defeat a chess Grandmaster. In a thrilling encounter during the ninth round of the KIIT International Open Tournament, Aarit emerged victorious against Raset Ziatdinov, a 66-year-old Grandmaster from the United States. At just 9 years, 2 months, and 18 days old, Aarit not only set a national record but also became the third-youngest player globally to achieve this feat under classical time control.

Historical Context

• Youngest Indian to Beat a GM: Aarit achieved this at 9 years, 2 months, and 18 days old.
• Global Ranking: Third-youngest player globally to defeat a Grandmaster under classical time control.
• World Record Holder: Indian-origin Ashwath Kaushik from Singapore holds the record at 8 years, 6 months.

The Game Against Raset Ziatdinov

Opponent’s Profile: Ziatdinov, a seasoned GM, is past his competitive prime at 66.

Game Dynamics

• Ziatdinov started with positional superiority, leveraging a better pawn structure.
• Aarit showcased resilience, fighting back from a slightly disadvantageous position.
• In a grueling 63-move endgame, Ziatdinov made a critical error, losing a knight.
• Aarit capitalized on the mistake, converting his advantage into a decisive victory.

Recognition and Future Challenges

Upcoming Tournaments

• Under-13 National Championship in Durgapur later this month.
• Under-9 Nationals in Pune.

Elite Talent: Aarit’s win places him among the most promising young chess talents.

Notable Performances

• Indian player Sayantan Das held Savchenko to a draw in the final round.

The Top 3 Youngest Players to Defeat a Grandmaster

• Ashwath Kaushik (Singapore) – 8 years, 6 months.
• Leonid Ivanovic (Serbia) – 8 years, 11 months.
• Aarit Kapil (India) – 9 years, 2 months.