Top Youngest Chess Grandmasters in History: Rising Stars of the Chess World

𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬

The game of chess continues to get younger as prodigious talents achieve the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title at just 12, 13, and 14 years old. This rapid rise is fueled by access to extensive chess resources, consistent global tournaments, and government support. However, one timeless truth remains unchanged: hard work is the ultimate key to success in the game of chess.

𝐀𝐛𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐮 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐚
Abhimanyu Mishra etched his name in history by becoming the youngest International Master in 2019 at the age of 10. By 2021, he began his journey to secure GM norms. On June 30, 2021, at the Vezerkepzo GM Mix Swiss tournament in Budapest, Hungary, Mishra achieved his third and final norm, officially becoming the youngest Grandmaster ever. He shattered Sergey Karjakin’s long-standing record—set 19 years earlier—by over two months.

Here’s a clean victory for Mishra over GM Zoltan Varga from the 5th Vezerkepzo GM tournament in 2021.

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐲 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧
For 19 years, GM Sergey Karjakin held the record as the youngest Grandmaster in chess history, achieving the title at just 12 years and 7 months. Karjakin, like many chess prodigies, began playing the game at the age of five. Remarkably, by the age of 11, he had already earned the International Master title.

Karjakin’s achievements include winning the World Rapid Championship in 2012 and the World Blitz Championship in 2016. In March 2016, he emerged victorious in the Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen for the World Chess Championship later that year. Although Karjakin fell short against Carlsen in their November 2016 match, he remains determined to pursue another shot at the title.

One of Karjakin’s most impressive games came during the 2016 Candidates Tournament, where he played an intense, dynamic game against Fabiano Caruana. This thrilling, back-and-forth encounter showcased Karjakin’s signature fighting style and remains a highlight of his career.

𝐆𝐮𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐡 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐣𝐮
Indian chess prodigy GM Gukesh Dommaraju, commonly known as Gukesh D., became the second-youngest Grandmaster in chess history at the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days. He secured his third and final GM norm at the 17th Delhi International Chess Grandmaster Open held in New Delhi, India.

Gukesh’s exceptional talent was first recognized by his school coach, Mr. Bhaskar, who ensured that Gukesh became a FIDE-rated player within just six months of learning the game. Gukesh played his final game as an International Master in style, winning the decisive match to achieve his last GM norm and officially earn the prestigious title.

Gukesh played his last game as an International Master, winning this game to earn his final grandmaster norm.

𝐉𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐤𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐯
GM Javokhir Sindarov became the first player since Sergey Karjakin to achieve the Grandmaster title before turning 13. The Uzbek talent secured all three of his GM norms in a single year, at the 2018 Alekhine Memorial, the FIDE World Junior Championship, and the First Saturday Tournament. Sindarov earned his final GM norm at the First Saturday Tournament in Budapest, Hungary. After a setback in the first round, he bounced back impressively, scoring 7 out of 8 points in his remaining games to claim the title.

Sindarov achieved his final grandmaster norm at the First Saturday Tournament in Budapest, Hungary, bouncing back from a first-round loss with an impressive 7/8 streak in his remaining games.

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐮
Indian chess prodigy GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu became the second youngest Grandmaster in chess history at the age of 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days. He achieved his third and final GM norm at the Fourth Gredine Open in Ortisei, Italy.

Praggnanandhaa had already made a name for himself by winning continental (Asian) championships and two world titles. At just 10 years old, he set another record as the youngest International Master in history, a record that still stands. At the Gredine Open, Praggnanandhaa delivered a remarkable performance, securing his final GM norm and sealing the tournament by defeating GM Roeland Pruijssers in the decisive game.

After earning his final GM norm at the Gredine Open, the Indian prodigy delivered a record-breaking performance by defeating GM Roeland Pruijssers.

𝐍𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐤 𝐀𝐛𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐯
GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov first made headlines in 2014 when, at just nine years old, he defeated two grandmasters at the Tashkent Open. He achieved his first GM norm at the 2016 Chigorin Memorial, followed by his second norm in Abu Dhabi in August 2017. Widely regarded as the greatest Uzbek chess talent since Rustam Kasimdzhanov—who won the 2004 FIDE Knockout World Championship—Abdusattorov earned his final GM norm at the Chigorin Memorial, where he defeated notable grandmasters S.P. Sethuraman and Evgeny Levin.

Abdusattorov secured his final grandmaster norm at the Chigorin Memorial, achieving impressive victories against GMs S. P. Sethuraman and Evgeny Levin.

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐣𝐚𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐠𝐢
Now pursuing a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), GM Parimarjan Negi became a grandmaster in 2006 at just 13 years old. Since earning the title, he has achieved notable successes, including winning the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2010, claiming victories at the Indian and Asian Chess Championships, and contributing to India’s bronze-medal-winning performance at the 2014 Chess Olympiad. A highlight of Negi’s career is his win against GM Markus Ragger, where his consistent pressure demonstrated how to expertly dismantle the Caro-Kann Defense.

Negi’s victory against GM Ragger was a brilliant showcase of how to dismantle the Caro-Kann, with White maintaining relentless pressure throughout the game.

𝐌𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐬𝐞𝐧
Nicknamed the “Mozart of Chess,” GM Magnus Carlsen stands in a class of his own. His peak rating of 2882 surpassed Garry Kasparov’s record of 2851, a testament to his unparalleled talent and work ethic. Known for his determination, Carlsen routinely outplays opponents by finding computer-like moves and grinding down seemingly equal endgames. While he is famous for these technical victories, one of his most iconic moments came at age 13, when he drew against Garry Kasparov in a legendary encounter.

Although Carlsen is renowned for securing wins in closely matched endgames, his most famous game might be the draw he achieved against Garry Kasparov at just 13 years old.

𝐖𝐞𝐢 𝐘𝐢
GM Wei Yi has shattered numerous records throughout his career. He became the second youngest player in history to surpass the 2600 rating mark, trailing only John M. Burke. Wei’s rapid progress is remarkable, having earned both the International Master and Grandmaster titles in the same year. At the time, he was the world’s youngest GM, achieving the title at just 13 years, 8 months, and 23 days.

This game is arguably Wei Yi’s most iconic victory, showcasing his signature attacking style against GM Lazaro Bruzon during the 2015 Danzhou Tournament.

𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝
GM-elect Andy Woodward is set to become the 10th-youngest Grandmaster in history and the youngest in the world once confirmed by FIDE at their upcoming conference.

𝐑𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐤 𝐒𝐚𝐝𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐢
GM Raunak Sadhwani is currently India’s fourth-youngest Grandmaster. He achieved his third and final GM norm at the FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss in October 2019, held in the Isle of Man. Competing against a strong field, Sadhwani finished with a 50% score, facing elite grandmasters such as Sergey Karjakin, Sanan Sjugirov, Surya Ganguly, Pavel Eljanov, Peter Leko, Gabriel Sargissian, Markus Ragger, Alexander Motylev, Bassem Amin, and Maksim Chigaev.

Here’s how he defeated former European Champion Alexander Motylev:

𝐁𝐮 𝐗𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐳𝐡𝐢
GM Bu Xiangzhi earned his Grandmaster title in 1999, becoming the youngest GM in chess history at the time—a record later surpassed by Sergey Karjakin in 2002. Bu claimed the Chinese Chess Championship in 2004 and has represented China in four Chess Olympiads, including the 2018 event where China won gold. A recognized talent on the global stage, Bu made headlines in 2017 when he eliminated Magnus Carlsen from the World Cup and later defeated the world champion again in the World Rapid Championship that same year.

In 2017, Bu Xiangzhi gained widespread attention by eliminating Magnus Carlsen in the World Cup and defeating the world champion once again at the World Rapid Championship later that year.

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟔 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬
Only six female players have achieved the Grandmaster title before the age of 20.

𝐇𝐨𝐮 𝐘𝐢𝐟𝐚𝐧
Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion GM Hou Yifan holds the record for the fastest any female player has earned the GM title, achieving it at just 14 years and 5 months. The Chinese Grandmaster is also the third woman to break into the top 100 live rating list, following GMs Maia Chiburdanidze and Judit Polgar.

Hou has competed in numerous elite invitational events, including the Tata Steel Chess tournament, where she triumphed over GM Anish Giri with the Black pieces.

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐮
GM Humpy Koneru became a Grandmaster in 2002, breaking the record at the time as the fastest woman to achieve the title, at just 15 years and 1 month. In 2011, she was the challenger for the Women’s World Championship title, where she narrowly lost to Hou Yifan. Over 15 years later, the Indian Grandmaster remains one of the world’s strongest female players.

One of Koneru’s finest victories was against Peruvian Grandmaster Julio Granda Zuniga, ending in a position fit for a Puzzle Rush tactic!

𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐠𝐚𝐫
Widely regarded as the greatest female chess player of all time, GM Judit Polgar is the only woman to ever cross the 2700 rating mark. Though now retired, Polgar’s career was marked by victories over legendary players such as Magnus Carlsen, Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, Vladimir Kramnik, and many others.

Judit Polgar’s victory over Garry Kasparov in 2002 stands as the most iconic game of her career.

𝐊𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐧𝐚 𝐋𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐨
Currently ranked among the top female chess players in the world, GM Kateryna Lagno has consistently demonstrated her dominance in women’s chess. She won the European Women’s Championship in both 2005 and 2008 and was a finalist in the 2018 Women’s World Championship, where she faced GM Ju Wenjun.

Here’s a dominant victory by Lagno against former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk.

𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐤𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐚 𝐆𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐚
GM Aleksandra Goryachkina has rapidly risen to prominence in the chess world. By the age of 20, the Russian Grandmaster had already secured a spot in the top 10 women’s rankings. She won the prestigious Russian Women’s Championship Superfinal in both 2015 and 2017, showcasing her consistency and strength.

Though not her most challenging opponent, Goryachkina demonstrated her formidable skills in this impressive game against the Stonewall Dutch.

𝐋𝐞𝐢 𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐣𝐢𝐞
GM Lei Tingjie is one of China’s top female chess players and has played a key role in several team victories for her country. She contributed to China’s gold medal successes in major events, including the Asian Nations Cup (2016), the Batumi Olympiad (2018), and the World Team Championship (2019).

Lei delivered a flawless positional masterclass with Black in this game from the 2017 World Rapid Championships, showcasing brilliance from start to finish!