CHESS

Delhi’s Aarit Kapil becomes youngest Indian International Master norm holder

Delhi-based 10-year-old Aarit Kapil became the youngest Indian chess player to make an International Master norm after he drew with Samuel Asaka of Australia in the final round of an international tournament at Menorca in Spain.

After a brilliant start that included a victory over former world Under-20 champion and Grandmaster Nogerbek Kazybek of Kazakhstan in the second round, Aarit, who is just 10 years and seven months old, became the youngest Indian to hold an IM norm.

Winning the U-11 national championship last year was a turning point for the young Delhiite and he has taken it forward in a big way. He is currently ranked number two in the world amongst players born in 2015.

The highest point for Aarit was a draw with 12-year-old International Master Oro Faustino of Argentina who is often regarded as the ‘Messi of Chess’ in the chequered world.

Last year, he even held Magnus Carlsen to a draw in the ‘Early Titled Tuesday’ chess tournament, an online competition.

– PTI

Shivika Rohilla becomes Woman International Master

Shivika Rohilla has become a Woman International Master (WIM) following a final round draw with IM Rudolf Sertic of Croatia in the first Saturday chess tournament that concluded in Budapest.

Shivika, who had made her first norm back in 2023, came close to the final norm for the last 10 tournaments but missed the chances.

Scoring 4.5 points out of her nine games, Shivika also ensured a decent rise in her rating although her WIM rating requirements were completed in 2025 after a tournament in Poland.

The 18-year-old has now wants to complete the Woman Grandmaster title.

Tania Sachdev was the first player from Delhi to become a WIM 24 years back and very recently Sachi Jain was the second about a month earlier. Shivika is now the third.

– PTI

Published on Apr 12, 2026