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8-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Becomes Youngest Ever To Beat A Grandmaster

February 23, 2024

Today's good news story comes from Burgdorf, Switzerland.

In a stunning display of talent and determination, eight-year-old Ashwath Kaushik from Singapore has etched his name in chess history by becoming the youngest player ever to defeat a grandmaster in classical chess.

Ashwath Kaushik

The remarkable feat occurred at the 22nd Burgdorfer Stadthaus Open in Switzerland last weekend, where Ashwath triumphed over the seasoned 37-year-old Grandmaster Jacek Stopa from Poland.

"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," Ashwath shared with Chess.com.

Ashwath's journey into the world of chess began at an early age, as his father, Sriram Kaushik, revealed that he learned the rules of the game at just four years old, thanks to ChessKid.

"He picked it up on his own, playing with his grandparents," Sriram Kaushik explained.

The young prodigy's passion for the game is evident in his dedication, spending up to seven hours a day immersed in the intricacies of chess. According to his father, Ashwath not only plays the game but also tackles long and complex puzzles visually.

Ashwath finished the tournament in 12th place after losing his final game against IM (International Master) Harry Grieve.

When asked if he intends to continue playing competitively, he assured: "Yes, till I become the world champion."