Yes, of course, this is always how these things work: I say "no more blogging for a while", and then I blog. I hadn't intended to, but this bit of good news came in my email, so here goes: American prodigy Abhimanyu Mishra has broken Sergey Karjakin's surprisingly durable record for the youngest grandmaster ever. Karjakin acquired the record back in 2002 at the age of 12 years and 7 months, shattering Bu Xiangzhi's record of 13 years, 10 months, and 13 days. Since then, many have come close (and eight others players had bested Bu's mark), but only now has the record been broken.
Mishra got his third norm and broke the 2500 barrier to earn the grandmaster title, and did so at the ripe old age of 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days. There's little doubt that his record will fall too, even before we create CRISPR and cyborg babies, but it's still a great achievement that will offer him a measure of what is exaggeratedly called (chess) "immortality". Congratulations to the youngster; may it portend great things for him as his career continues to develop.
For more on the history of the record, this is useful. As for Mishra's achievement, here's the US Chess press release I was sent this morning:
American Abhimanyu (“Abhi”) Mishra is the Youngest Grandmaster in History!
Twelve-year-old from Englishtown, New Jersey breaks 19-year-old record with 66 days to spare
CROSSVILLE, TN: 12-year-old Grandmaster Abhimanyu (“Abhi”) Mishra from Englishtown, New Jersey is the youngest Grandmaster (GM) in history, breaking the record formerly held by Russian GM Sergey Karjakin. Karjakin set the record in 2002 and went on to unsuccessfully challenge GM Magnus Carlsen in a 2016 World Championship match.
At age 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days, Mishra earned his third and final norm (a performance-level measure) on June 30, 2021 at the Vezerkepzo GM Mix tournament in Budapest, Hungary, defeating GM Leon Luke Mendonca to take the final step on his long journey to Grandmaster. (He had already fulfilled the rating requirement, breaking the 2500 Elo mark in June, and FIDE—the World Chess Federation—must still confirm the record.) With Karjakin having earned his title at age 12 years and 7 months, Mishra bettered the previous mark by approximately 66 days.
This is not Mishra’s first record shattered. He was the youngest master in U.S. history at nine years and two months, and the youngest International Master ever at 10 years, nine months, and three days, breaking the record previously held by GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa by 17 days.
The US Chess Federation (US Chess) is the official governing body and nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization for chess players and chess supporters in the United States. Our mission is to empower people, enrich lives, and enhance communities through chess. Our vision is that chess is recognized as an essential tool that is inclusive, benefits education and rehabilitation, and promotes recreation and friendly competition.