Exclusive | Watching Carlsen at 2: How 5-yo Aarini became India No. 1 youngest talent

At just five, Delhi’s Aarini Lahoty is India’s highest-rated chess player in her age group, boasting a FIDE rating of 1551. Introduced to the game by her father-coach Surendar, Aarini began playing as a toddler and now competes in higher age categories. Balancing studies, chess, and play, she dreams of becoming India’s youngest IM and GM.