Chess prodigies: The world's youngest chess phenoms of 2025
In the ever-evolving world of chess, 2025 has become a standout year for prodigious talent. From kids barely into their teens to teenage grandmasters rewriting records, a new generation is reshaping how we think about intelligence, strategy, and global competition.
These ten players are not just future stars they are already making headlines today.
Aarit Kapil – Drawing Magnus Carlsen at age 9
Perhaps the most viral moment of early 2025 came when Aarit Kapil, a 9-year-old from Delhi, held world number one Magnus Carlsen to a draw in an online blitz game and was even winning at one point. The young player's confidence, speed, and positional control shocked viewers and signaled the rise of another Indian chess phenomenon.
Faustino Oro – The 'Messi of chess'
Hailing from Argentina and now based in Spain, Faustino Oro became an International Master at just 10 years and 8 months, the youngest in history at that time.
Known for his exceptional intuition and calm under pressure, Oro has even beaten Magnus Carlsen in a bullet match. His online presence and consistent tournament wins have made him one of the most followed young players globally.
Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus – Youngest Grandmaster in 2025
At only 13 years and 4 months, Türkiye's Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus crossed the 2600 Elo mark and earned his GM title. His games show a rare maturity, blending classical positional understanding with the courage to play sharp, aggressive lines.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Adidas Three Shorts With 60% Discount, Limited Stock Available
Original Adidas
Shop Now
Undo
Erdogmus has quickly become a top contender in under-16 international events.
Ethan Pang – Breaking rating records at 9
Born in the UK, Ethan Pang stunned the chess world by surpassing a 2300 rating before turning 10, breaking records previously held by Oro. Ethan's opening preparation and rapid calculation make him a dangerous opponent even for titled players. Analysts predict he may reach the IM title in record time.
Roman Shogdzhiev – Grandmaster slayer at 8
In one of the most talked-about performances of 2024, Russian youngster Roman Shogdzhiev defeated five grandmasters during the World Rapid and Blitz Championships, all at just 8 years old.
His fearlessness and ability to outplay experienced professionals under time pressure make him a unique talent.
Luca Protopopescu – France's youngest hope
At just 9 years and 5 days old, Luca Protopopescu crossed the 2200 rating threshold, making him the youngest to do so in chess history. Known for his solid positional play and strategic endgames, Luca has already won the U-10 French national title and is now gaining international experience in top youth events.
Xue Haowen – China's next elite grandmaster
China's Xue Haowen earned his GM title in 2025 with a rating above 2500, making headlines with his consistent performance in European circuits. He won the Hastings Masters and several Asian youth championships, positioning himself as China's leading teenager on the global stage.
Aaron Reeve Mendes – Canada's international master
Aaron Mendes became Canada's youngest International Master in 2025 after a string of dominant performances at the U-18 level. With a solid peak rating, consistent results, and a calm, methodical style of play, he is now entering major international tournaments and gaining global recognition.
Ethan Vaz – Goa's youngest International Master
From India, Ethan Vaz became the world's youngest IM at just 12. With a peak rating of 2441 in 2025, he continues to grow as a serious contender in the junior circuit. His deep theoretical knowledge and tactical precision have brought him multiple youth championship medals.
A global reshaping of chess talent
What stands out in 2025 is not just the brilliance of individual prodigies but the global spread of talent. As they continue to mature and compete, these prodigies are expected to shape the elite landscape of chess for years to come. Whether you follow classical, rapid, or online blitz formats, these names are already worth knowing and watching closely.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
‘I'll say if I am Jaiswal or Shreyas, now my chance is gone, so from the next time..': Ashwin's take on Jaiswal and Iyer missing out from Asia Cup squad
With the Ajit Agarkar led selection committee deciding about Indian red ball captain being the vice-captain for the upcoming Asia Cup and set to don the opener's role along with Abhishek Sharma or Sanju Samson, it meant that Yashasvi Jaisal missed out from the India's squad for Asia Cup. Jaisal, who has so far played in 23 T20Is for India scoring 723 runs at a strike rate of 164.31, had scored 559 runs at an average of 159.71 for Rajasthan Royals in this year's IPL. Along with Jaiswal, Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer, who had scored 604 runs in the IPL this year and led his team to the final, also missed out on a spot in the Indian team. Former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has shared how this exclusion will lead both the players not to take risks in future. 'Not only has his (Yashasvi Jaiswal) slot gone, but there's a leadership role in that. Now, he's left with one spot — he needs to fight for Abhishek Sharma's place. Or he'll have to go and play in the middle-order in the IPL. He averages 36, with a strike rate of 165 in this format. It's very hard to find a guy like Jaiswal. He doesn't play for himself sometimes, I have seen a lot of batters who do. Shreyas (Iyer) is the same. Both of them play less for their average and more for strike rate. If the ball is there to be hit, they take the chance. It took a long time for India to get players with that brand of cricket. Now you got those players… I'll say if I am Jaiswal or Shreyas, now my chance is gone, so from the next time if a risk has to be taken, I won't. I'll play for myself because I need to secure my place. It's unfortunate you'll have to play for that in T20s,' Ashwin said on his Youtube channel Ash ki Baat. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar talked about Iyer and Jaiswal's exclusions in the press conference on Tuesday. 'It's unfortunate that Shreyas Iyer misses out. It's no fault of his, neither ours. He has to wait for his chance. We have got some serious options in the T20I squad…sometimes not the easiest squad to pick but a good headache to have. It's unfortunate Jaiswal has had to miss out but he will have to wait,' Agarkar had told the media on Tuesday.
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Prithvi Shaw fires back at critics after maiden FC hundred for Maharashtra
There's a saying that life is about second chances, and 25-year-old Prithvi Shaw is determined to make it his story. Once sidelined by the BCCI and Mumbai Cricket Association after poor form and off-field controversies, Shaw has been handed a new lease of life by moving from Mumbai to Maharashtra team in domestic cricket. He justified the move by scoring a fluent 111 against Chhattisgarh in the ongoing Buchi Babu Invitational tournament. Shaw fired back at critics after the match, saying he does not mind starting from scratch and is not seeking sympathy but only wants to perform for his team. Prithvi Shaw's move to Maharashtra: Last attempt to save career? Shaw, who began his international and domestic career in spectacular fashion, has struggled in recent years. Left out of the Indian squad since 2021, he was a regular for Mumbai and the IPL's Delhi Capitals but controversies and poor batting form derailed his career. His nightlife habits strained ties with Mumbai cricket, while underwhelming IPL returns cost him his place in the franchise. With few options left, Shaw switched to Maharashtra earlier this year. His debut ton suggests the decision could prove decisive in reviving his career. Focus on basics, not experiments After his century, Shaw said his comeback plan revolves around returning to basics rather than trying anything new. 'I am confident in myself and my work ethic. I just want to do what I did in my Under-19 days. I believe the 2025-26 season will be a turnaround year,' he said. Prithvi Shaw's career in numbers Shaw rose to prominence after leading India's victorious 2018 Under-19 World Cup campaign in New Zealand. The same year, he debuted for India in Tests and for Delhi Capitals in the IPL. His ODI debut followed in 2020 and T20I debut in 2021. However, his international run was short: five Tests, six ODIs, and one T20I. In the IPL, he played 79 matches for Delhi Capitals between 2018 and 2024 before going unsold in the 2025 auction. Prithvi Shaw career stats The bigger picture When Shaw started his career, many cricket experts and fans saw him as the next big thing in Indian cricket. But Shaw's lack of runs with the bat and off-field antics almost made him invisible to the same people. There is no denying that the 25-year-old batter has the potential to achieve great things in cricket, and his move to Maharashtra might just be what he needed to trigger that. If Shaw is successful with Maharashtra in the domestic circuit, he might find his way back to the IPL or even the Indian team, provided he maintains consistency.
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Will Rohit, Kohli Play 2027 World Cup? First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Will Rohit, Kohli Play 2027 World Cup? | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma may have stepped away from Test cricket, but the spotlight refuses to leave them. Fresh reports suggest the BCCI is mulling over their participation in the 2027 ODI World Cup, with possible calls for them to play domestic cricket to prove their place. Is it fair to question two of India's greatest white-ball players so early? Should legacy, leadership, and experience be enough, or will form and fitness be the ultimate deciders? With voices like Sourav Ganguly and Aakash Chopra weighing in, this debate goes beyond just two players - it has now become the future of Indian cricket's selection philosophy. Rupha Ramani looks at BCCI's motto to end the star culture and what needs to be done to balance individual legacies with the long-term interests of Indian cricket. See More
