Nihal Sarin is quickly becoming a rising name in the world of chess, especially after his impressive performance at the Esports World Cup 2025. But who exactly is this young star, and why is everyone talking about him? Let’s take a look at the story of Nihal Sarin, the rising chess sensation from India who is making waves both on and off the digital chessboard.
Who Is Nihal Sarin?
Nihal Sarin was born on July 13, 2004, in Thrissur, Kerala, India. His journey in chess began at an early age. His father introduced him to the game when he was just six years old, to keep him engaged during school vacations. His grandfather taught him the rules, and what started as a fun pastime soon turned into a passion. Nihal quickly rose through the ranks in youth chess tournaments across India and beyond, thanks to his natural talent and dedication.
Getting Success From A Young Age
Nihal Sarin was already making headlines as the World Under-10 Chess Champion by 2014. He continued to impress with several wins and high rankings in international youth events. What sets Nihal apart is not just his skill but also his incredible speed and focus, especially in blitz chess, where players make moves in just seconds. In fact, Nihal has defeated some of the world’s top players in blitz games, including the legendary Magnus Carlsen.
Nihal officially became a Grandmaster (GM) in 2018, a prestigious title given to the best chess players worldwide. He did this at the young age of 14, making him one of the youngest GMs in history. Since then, his career has skyrocketed. He has consistently performed at the highest levels, with a classical chess rating close to 2700 as of 2025, placing him among the world’s elite players.
Presence In Esports World Cup 2025
What makes Nihal even more popular today is his presence in the Esports world. In 2025, he joined the top Indian esports team called S8UL, participating in major online chess tournaments and engaging with millions of fans worldwide. The Esports World Cup 2025 was a game-changer for Nihal, where his sharp tactics and quick thinking earned him a spot among the top competitors. His success in online chess competitions reflects the growing popularity of chess as an esports discipline.
And if that wasn’t enough, Nihal Sarin has won several classical and rapid chess tournaments globally, proving his versatility across different formats. His victories at events like the 18th Tashkent Open Agzamov Memorial 2025 show his ability to compete and succeed against the best in the traditional chess arena, too. So keep an eye on this rising sensation as this is just the beginning.
Also read: Checkmate: Divya Deshmukh Secures GM Title and Wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025
