In a stunning display of talent and resilience, eight-year-old India-origin Ashwath Kaushik, representing Singapore, etched his name in chess history by defeating Polish grandmaster Jacek Stopa at the Burgdorfer Stadthaus Open in Switzerland. The victory not only earned him accolades but also the distinction of being the youngest player ever to defeat a grandmaster in classical chess.
Despite his young age, Ashwath displayed remarkable composure and strategic prowess as he outmaneuvered Stopa, who stands nearly five times older than him at 37 years old. The feat comes hot on the heels of another record-breaking achievement, as just weeks prior, Serbia’s Leonid Ivanovic secured a similar milestone by defeating 60-year-old Bulgarian grandmaster Milko Popchev.
Family, school support and more
Ranked at an impressive world number 37,338 on FIDE, Ashwath expressed his pride in his performance, particularly in his ability to stage a comeback from a disadvantageous position. Speaking on his accomplishment, he credited his supportive family, his dedication to the game, and the flexibility afforded by his school, along with his natural talent.
Kevin Goh, Singaporean grandmaster and CEO of the Singapore Chess Federation, hailed Ashwath’s victory as a testament to his potential. Goh emphasised the importance of nurturing young talent in chess and expressed hope that Ashwath’s success would inspire more children to pursue the game competitively.
Ashwath’s father, Sriram Kaushik, expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement, acknowledging the role of dedicated coaches and supporters in Ashwath’s journey. He highlighted puzzle-solving as a crucial element contributing to Ashwath’s success on the board.
Goals ahead
As per Chess.com, the eight-year-old dedicates as much as seven hours daily to chess, immersing himself in solving thousands of puzzles through his trusty old chess program. His father, Kaushik Sriram, disclosed that his son possesses a photographic memory. “Recently, he completed GM Jacob Aagaard’s entire Grandmaster series solely through mental visualisation, without using a physical board.”
Looking ahead, Ashwath has set his sights on improving his ratings and attaining the title of candidate master in chess. He also aims to excel in FIDE’s World Cup for youngsters later this year, showcasing his ambition and determination to further cement his mark in the world of chess.