Aarini Lahoty, a five-year-old chess prodigy from New Delhi born on September 19, 2019, has become India’s youngest female FIDE-rated chess player with an impressive rating of 1551 as of August 2025. Breaking the previous national record, she competes in multiple age categories, having won 11 trophies and several medals.
Supported by her family, especially her father who is also her coach, Aarini exemplifies the new generation of young Indian chess talents who are raising the country’s profile in the global chess community.
A Star on the Rise in Indian Chess
Aarini Lahoty’s achievement is historic, as she entered the official FIDE rankings at just 5 years and 10 months, surpassing Udhriti Bhattacharya, the previous youngest Indian female FIDE-rated player. Her FIDE rating of 1551 reflects not only raw talent but also her ability to compete with older and more experienced players.
Since she started playing chess seriously, Aarini has participated in Under-7, Under-9, and Under-11 categories. She has already collected 11 trophies and numerous medals. Her rise coincides with a golden era in Indian chess dominated by legends like Viswanathan Anand and young stars such as R Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh D, and Divya Deshmukh.
This surge in young talent is a result of increased grassroots infrastructure, chess education at schools, and supportive families.
A Family’s Nurturing Support and Balanced Upbringing
Aarini’s passion for chess began early, sparked by watching Magnus Carlsen play when she was just two years old. Her father, Surendar Lahoty, himself a chess player and coach at Bluebells School International (where Aarini studies), has been her primary mentor and supporter.
Surendar emphasizes a balanced approach, ensuring Aarini’s time is shared between school, chess, swimming, and play, avoiding undue pressure. Her mother oversees her academic development while her father focuses on her chess training. Aarini is known to face challenges calmly, accepting losses as learning opportunities and saying, “Sometimes I make blunders,” but always continuing to play confidently.
This nurturing environment highlights how early encouragement and a focus on holistic growth can shape prodigious talent in intellectual sports.
The Growing Ecosystem and Inspiration for Young Players
Aarini’s rise is part of India’s expanding chess ecosystem, which promotes chess among young children across the country. India has cultivated a powerful legacy of chess champions supported by programs that develop young players from the grassroots level.
Events such as the recent Grandmasters tournament in Chennai, despite schedule changes due to an electrical fire, reflect a vibrant competitive chess scene that further inspires upcoming players.
Aarini’s story is especially inspiring for young girls nationwide, showing that gender and age are no barriers to excelling in chess. Her achievements contribute to this momentum, encouraging more children to pursue chess seriously and fostering greater inclusivity in the sport.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Aarini Lahoty’s success is a beacon of the incredible potential unlocked when young minds receive empathetic support, opportunities, and encouragement. It exemplifies how families, schools, and communities can collaborate to nurture talent in peaceful, constructive ways that promote social harmony via education and discipline.
At The Logical Indian, we celebrate Aarini’s story as a catalyst for positive social change, emphasising kindness, growth, and coexistence.
