Six-year-old wonder kid Nivaan Khandadia from Pune became the youngest rated chess player in India, placed at world no 10 in the current rankings.
Khandadia has an outstanding rating of 1137 Elo Points. He was also a part of the recently concluded World School Chess Championship held in Albania where he was the youngest candidate in the Indian contingent. Khandadia scored four points in the U-7 category over nine rounds.
Khandadia has made it a habit of winning trophies in state- and district-level tournaments. He already has an enviable collection of 17 trophies and nine medals from district and state level events.
He stood third at the state level, bagged seventh position in the state school level and the 13th position at the national school level in the U-7 age category competitions.
Kandadia, a senior kindergarten student, was introduced to chess by his father Rathin at the age of four. He learnt the game in two days and defeated his father on the third day.
“Words can’t describe my excitement at the moment,” said an excited Rathin. “I would like to thank Vibgyor High school for all their support without which, my son wouldn’t have been able to achieve what he has done today.”
Khandadia trains under coach Vishwanath Sandilya at the South Mumbai Chess Academy’s branch in Pune.
