The chess world witnessed a remarkable feat on Sunday as eight-year-old Ashwath Kaushik etched his name in history by becoming the youngest player ever to defeat a chess grandmaster in a classical tournament game.
Hailing from Singapore, Ashwath achieved this extraordinary milestone at the Burgdorfer Stadthaus Open in Switzerland, where he triumphed over Poland’s Jacek Stopa, 37, in round four. At the age of eight years, six months, and 11 days, Ashwath shattered the previous record set just last month by Leonid Ivanovic, then eight years old, by defeating Stopa at a younger age, as reported by Chess.com.
Reflecting on his historic win, Ashwath expressed his excitement and pride, stating, “It felt really exciting and amazing, and I felt proud of my game and how I played, especially since I was worse at one point but managed to come back from that.”
Born in India in 2015, Ashwath has already made significant strides in the chess world, securing victories in numerous youth tournaments globally. Notably, he clinched the title of World Under-8 Rapid champion in 2022, underscoring his exceptional talent and dedication to the game.
While Ashwath finished 12th in the recent tournament in Switzerland, his remarkable achievement has garnered attention and high expectations as he continues to compete against opponents with decades more experience.
In an interview with Chess.com, Ashwath’s father, Kaushik Sriram, shared his astonishment at his son’s rapid rise in the chess world. Neither he nor his wife have a background in chess, making Ashwath’s prowess all the more surprising. Sriram revealed that Ashwath practices approximately seven hours a day, showcasing his unwavering commitment to the game.
“It’s surreal as there isn’t really any sports tradition in our families. Every day is a new discovery, and we sometimes stumble in search of the right pathway for him,” Sriram remarked, highlighting the family’s journey and the unexpected emergence of Ashwath as a chess prodigy.
Ashwath Kaushik’s groundbreaking achievement serves as an inspiration to aspiring young chess players worldwide, emphasizing the power of dedication, perseverance, and talent in the pursuit of excellence in the game of chess.
