Chessi, the Argentine prodigy compared to Messi

FOR a period of time sandwiched by the pandemic, young Indian players had a number of eye-catching performances.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

The likes of Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa put the world of chess on notice as they broke anumber of age-related records en route to big wins over GMs. Since then, they have more or less delivered on their initial promise. In Gukesh’s case, he has gone on to become the youngest world champion.

But chess is one sport where the game is increasingly becoming younger and younger. Gukesh may only be 19 but he’s already a seasoned campaigner. It’s one of the many quirks as players, some as young as 10, can become titled over-theboard performers.