9-Year-Old Aarit Kapil Becomes Youngest Indian to Defeat a Grandmaster

Aarit Kapil, a nine-year-old chess prodigy from Delhi, has made history by becoming the youngest Indian to defeat a Grandmaster. Aarit achieved this remarkable feat in the ninth and final round of the KIIT International Open Chess Tournament, where he defeated American Grandmaster Ziyatdinov.
Aarit, who accomplished this milestone at the age of 9 years, 2 months, and 18 days, is now the youngest Indian and the third youngest player in the world to defeat a Grandmaster in classical time control.

Historical Context
The record for the youngest player to beat a Grandmaster in classical time control belongs to Singaporean player Abhimanyu Mishra, an Indian-origin chess sensation. Aarit’s win adds him to the elite list of young achievers in the chess world.

A Legendary Match
Ziyatdinov, aged 66, challenged Aarit with his experienced moves but could not outmanoeuvre the young talent. Aarit handled Ziyatdinov’s aggressive strategies with composure, eventually winning the match in 63 moves.

A Promising Future
Aarit’s historic victory is a new chapter in Indian chess, showcasing the rise of young talent. This victory comes after Aarit’s rigorous practice and remarkable performances earlier this year, including other competitive matches where he demonstrated exceptional skill and maturity beyond his years.