Who is Nihal Sarin? Check his Early Life, Chess Journey and Achievements

Indian Grandmaster (GM) Nihal Sarin secured victory in the 18th Tashkent Open, Agzamov Memorial 2025, after drawing his final game against GM Shamsiddin Vokhidov from Uzbekistan. He finished half a point ahead of the rest of the competition.

 Grandmaster Nihal Sarin is the Champion of Tashkent Open Agzamov Memorial 2025! Nihal held a solid draw with the Black pieces against Shamsiddin Vokhidov in the final round today. He clinches clear 1st place with an amazing 8/10 points, remaining undefeated throughout the… pic.twitter.com/WiRbiz4SFV

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) March 29, 2025

Nihal Sarin Dominates Agzamov Memorial 2025

The Agzamov Memorial Chess Tournament was held from March 21 to 29 in 2025, in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It featured two sections: Group A, which attracted strong players, including eight rated above 2600, and Group B, limited to players with an Elo rating below 2000. The tournament followed a 10-round Swiss format with a 90-minute time control plus a 30-second increment per move. Unlike some similar events, there were no rest days and no double rounds.

Nihal Sarin’s Impressive Victory

Nihal Sarin remained unbeaten, scoring 8/10 to claim first place. He finished just half a point ahead of four players who shared second to fifth places, ranked by tiebreaks:

1. Sanan Sjugirov (Hungary)
   
2. Abhimanyu Puranik (India)
   
3. Bardiya Daneshvar (Iran)
   
4. Shamsiddin Vokhidov (Uzbekistan)
   

Pre-tournament favourites performed well, as eight of the top ten finishers were among the highest-ranked players.

Rising Star & Nihal’s Continued Success

A standout performance came from 15-year-old Uzbek IM Khumoyun Begmuratov, who finished ninth with 7/10, staying unbeaten.

This victory marks Nihal Sarin’s second major success in Uzbekistan within a short span. In December 2024, he won the President Cup in Tashkent with 8.5/10. His performance at the Agzamov Memorial, with six wins and four draws, helped him gain valuable rating points. Nihal is now just 5.9 points away from the elite 2700 rating club.

Early Life and Family Background

Nihal Sarin was born in Thrissur, Kerala, and spent his early years in Kottayam. His father, Sarin Abdulsalam, is a dermatologist, while his mother, Shijin A.V. Ummar, is a psychiatrist. From a very young age, Nihal displayed an extraordinary memory and cognitive abilities. By the age of three, he could identify the capitals and flags of 190 countries, recite the scientific names of various plants and insects, and speak fluent English. His academic brilliance was evident as he mastered multiplication tables up to sixteen by the age of six.

The Beginning of a Chess Journey

During school vacations, Nihal’s father introduced him to chess, buying him a set to keep him engaged. His grandfather, A. A. Ummar, taught him the basic rules, and soon, his talent for the game became evident. Nihal received formal chess training from Mathew P. Joseph Pottoore at Excelsior English School. Under the guidance of his coach, he honed his skills, and within a short span, he was competing in state-level tournaments.

Achievements in Early Chess Career

Nihal’s first breakthrough came in the Kerala State Chess Championship, where he won multiple titles:

• Under-07 category: Champion
• Under-09 category: Two-time Champion
• Under-11 category: Two-time Champion
• Under-15 (Sub-Junior) category: Champion
• State Senior Championship (2015): Runner-up at the age of 10

Additionally, he represented Kerala in the National Challengers Championship and secured impressive positions in national-level tournaments:

• National Under-9 Champion (2013, Chennai)
• National Under-11 Bronze Medalist (2014, Puri)
• National Under-11 Silver Medalist (2015, Pondicherry)

Rise to Grandmaster Title

Nihal’s rapid rise in chess was marked by his achievements at international events. He earned several prestigious titles before becoming a Grandmaster:

His Grandmaster title came at the age of 14, making him one of the youngest to achieve this feat. By the same age, he also crossed the 2600 Elo rating, a remarkable milestone in chess.

International Achievements

Nihal has represented India in numerous international chess events, bringing home prestigious titles and medals:

• Gold Medal: FIDE Chess Olympiad (2020) (Held online as part of the Indian team)
• World Youth Championship U-18 Winner (2020) (Held online in rapid format)
• World Cup 2019: Became the youngest Indian to qualify at age 15 and advanced to the second round

His ability to play rapid and blitz formats at an elite level has earned him widespread recognition. Nihal is often compared to legends for his intuitive and aggressive playing style.

Current Status and Future Prospects

As of July 2024, Nihal boasts an impressive FIDE rating:

His consistent performance and ability to challenge top-tier players indicate a promising future. Experts believe he is well on his way to becoming a world-class contender for the Chess World Championship.