Viraj Sarawgi: Assam's 11-Year-Old Gains 290 FIDE Rating Points in Europe

Assam’s 11-year-old chess prodigy Viraj Sarawgi has drawn widespread attention in the international chess community with remarkable performances in consecutive FIDE-rated tournaments in Europe, boosting his rating by an extraordinary 290 points.

The young talent, a sixth-standard student at Guwahati’s Royal Global School, began his European campaign at the Italian International Open held in Italy from January 23. Competing against nearly 100 participants, Viraj scored 3.5 points, achieving multiple victories over opponents rated above 1700 Elo — a feat that earned him 122 FIDE rating points. His results there were impressive for a player of his age and experience level.

Following his success in Italy, Viraj traveled to Germany to compete in the Nordwest Cup (B Category Open), facing a tougher field that included players rated above 2000 Elo. Against these strong competitors, he continued his strong form and accumulated an additional 161 rating points, taking his overall gain on the European circuit to 290 points.

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Such a substantial rating jump is rare at the junior level and highlights both Viraj’s developing skill and his capacity to compete under pressure against seasoned opponents. His performances came over a compact period — the two tournaments ran back-to-back from January 23 to February 2, underscoring his consistency and stamina in high-level competition.

Viraj trains at the Mumbai Chess Centre under the guidance of coach Srikanth Sarma Malladi and other mentors, who have played an important role in nurturing his tactical understanding and competitive resilience. The centre has been instrumental in developing young Indian talent, and Viraj’s results further spotlight India’s growing presence in the international chess scene.

His achievements also add to a broader narrative of rising young Indian players making an impact internationally. While established Indian grandmasters continue to excel on the world stage, prodigies like Viraj signal depth in the country’s chess pipeline, with the potential for future stars emerging from junior ranks.

As Viraj returns home with a significantly improved FIDE rating and invaluable international experience, attention will turn to his next competitive opportunities. Observers expect his European breakthrough to inspire other young players across India’s chess community, reaffirming the nation’s reputation as a burgeoning hub for chess excellence.

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