GWR 2023 High Res Blad PDF Half Page ver - Flipbook - Page 12
YOUNG ACHIEVERS
I
Abhimanyu Mishra
magine a “chess Grandmaster”. Odds are you are picturing someone
of, shall we say, more advanced years…? But Abhimanyu “Abhi” Mishra
(b. 5 Feb 2009) from New Jersey, USA, is toppling preconceptions around
age as deftly as he topples his adversaries’ chess pieces.
While competing in Hungary on 30 Jun 2021, Abhi chalked up his third
“Grandmaster norm” event win. This, in turn, pushed his Elo rating (a
score by which chess players’ skill level is quantified) over the 2,500-point
threshold. Together, these achievements meant that not only could he claim
the esteemed “GM” badge of honour but, aged 12 years 145 days, Abhi is the
youngest chess Grandmaster in the game’s history.
The chess prodigy isn’t content to stop there, though. “Now that I’m
a Grandmaster, the actual journey begins. There’s so much to learn and
execute and I want to be a Super Grandmaster
[Elo rating of 2,700 points] by the age of 15. My
ultimate goal is to be a World Champion one day.”
4
1
2
3
5
What was your introduction to chess?
My father introduced me to chess when I was
two-and-a-half years of age. I started playing
the tournaments when I was five. My father
inspired me as he was my first teacher.
At what stage did you realize you had
a special affinity for the game?
Because I was introduced to chess very early
on, it became part of my life. After I started
playing in the tournaments, I realized that it’s
so much fun and started loving it even more.
What are the benefits of playing chess?
Chess helps you with your analytical skills
and calculations. Chess is very close to real
life. It helps in making informed decisions.
Did you ever see yourself becoming
a Grandmaster?
I’ve always aspired to be the youngest
Grandmaster since I started playing chess.
On the way to achieving this record, I had
to reach many other milestones, including
becoming the youngest International Master
[aged 10 years 276 days].
How many hours do you practise each day?
Since the pandemic, I’ve worked 10–12 hours
a day, but generally, it’s 7–8 hours of chess;
that includes learning about game openings,
middle and end games, doing tactics, and
playing chess online.
1. Abhimanyu has become a
star in the chess community,
particularly since becoming a
Grandmaster. He has secured
worldwide press coverage
including a cover feature in
Chess Life magazine.
If you could play anyone at chess, from any
time in history, who would it be?
I’d have loved to play [World Chess Champion]
Bobby Fischer. His love for the game was
unparalleled. His devotion [was proven] by
the fact he learned Russian, as all the chess
literature at that time was in that language.
2. For a break from the chess
board, Abhi likes to read
books and play videogames.
3. Abhi claimed his firstever winner’s trophy at a
tournament when he was
just five years old.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years’ time?
I want to be the very best in the chess world
and rule it like a king. I see myself competing
in the World Chess Championship – or maybe
I’ll be the World Champion!
4. Current World Champion
Magnus Carlsen is one of
Abhi’s heroes: “There are so
many things we can all learn
from him,” he says.
To discover more about recordbreaking young achievers, visit
kids.guinnessworldrecords.com
106
5. The youngest female
Grandmaster is Hou Yifan
(CHN, b. 27 Feb 1994), who
reached this level in 2008
aged 14 years 184 days.