3-yr-old chess prodigy among 17 kids honoured

THREE-YEAR-OLD chess prodigy Anish Sarkar, who made history by becoming the youngest-rated chess player ever, was among the 17 children presented with Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @ New Delhi

The President lauded the preschool child prodigy at the award function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre. Sarkar, from Kolkata, is the youngest FIDE-ranked player in the world, with an impressive rating of 1,555. He is also the youngest recipient of the prestigious Bal Puraskar.

"In today's event, the youngest award winner is Master Anish, who received the recognition at such a young age when children are in play schools and nurseries," she said, "He is the youngest chess winner in the world. I am sure that in the future, he will also make a name for himself internationally."