5-year-old Aarini Lahoty becomes India’s youngest FIDE-rated chess player across all formats

Young prodigy Aarini Lahoty from New Delhi has made history by becoming India's youngest player to earn FIDE ratings in all three chess formats — classical, rapid, and blitz.

As of August 2025, she holds ratings of 1553 in classical, 1550 in rapid, and 1498 in blitz, making her the first player born in 2019 to achieve this feat.

Aarini's journey into chess began at the age of two, inspired by watching Magnus Carlsen. Under the guidance of her father, Surendar Lahoty — a chess coach and physical education teacher at Bluebells School International—Aarini has participated in various tournaments, including the National Under-7 Girls Championship, where she scored 3 points from 9 matches.

Her father emphasized the importance of preparation, stating that they practiced with the same time controls used in tournaments to acclimate her to the formats. This structured approach has contributed to her rapid progress in the chess world.

Aarini's achievement highlights the growing interest and participation of young children in chess in India, reflecting the country's expanding chess infrastructure and the nurturing of young talents. With her promising start, Aarini is poised to inspire the next generation of chess enthusiasts.

Aarini has already competed in national-level tournaments, including the National Under-7 Girls Championship, where she scored 3 points out of 9 matches, demonstrating early competitive experience.

Reports indicate that Aarini has participated in local and regional competitions in Delhi, steadily improving her performance while gaining recognition in India’s chess community.

Experts note that early exposure to structured training, tournaments, and mentorship is crucial for young talents like Aarini to achieve FIDE ratings at such an early age.

While still very young, Aarini’s record-setting milestone has already earned attention from chess enthusiasts nationwide. Her accomplishment may inspire other children to pursue chess seriously, highlighting India’s continuing emergence as a hub for young chess talent.