Aarini Lahots becomes a chess player at the age of 5 (a special arrangement) New Delhi: At the end of 2020, Magnus Carlsen, a four -time world champion in chess, was to lock the corners against the challenger Ian Neomniachtchi. However, a much expected clash was postponed due to Covid-19.A year later, when Norwegian finally faced the Russians in the battle with the Prahra in Dubai, almost 2,200 km away, in the home Lajpat Nagar in Nový Delhi, a two -year -old toddler named Aarini Lahota was glued to the television. While she had little idea of what was at stake, her zealous eyes followed the moving pieces on the board. She was determined to name them correctly, whenever her father, the Chess Surendar Lahota player himself, pointed to the TV screen.Pawn, knight, king – she knew them all.
Exclusive interview: How Aarini Lahots, 5, leads the youngest Indian chess talent
Go beyond the border with our YouTube channel. Subscribe!Fast forward to August 2025: Aarini Lahots, born September 19, 2019, became her school princess, the latest chess gem in Delhi and the highest Indian player in his age group across boys and girls, among those born after 2019. Fide 1551, from 11 August 2025, builds five -year -old men far in front of their peers of the same age or younger.As a result, Surendar’s father, now a sports coach at Bluebells School International, where he also studies Aarini, has grown, nodded and drowned everything in a flood of congratulations.
“Because I move first”
Ask Aarini to introduce itself and answer without hesitation: “Aarini Lahots. From Delhi in New Delhi.” Does she like to play chess? “Yes.” Which party? “White … Because I have to take the first step.”She knows she has become the youngest female player in India. “Yes,” she said with a sharp smile as she asked if she felt good. Attention from friends? “Yes.” Her favorite chess player? “My dad.” Not Carlsen, not the governance of the world in chess d Gukesh, not Indian medicine no. 1 r Pragggnanandhaa, only her father.
Aarini Lahots (special arrangement)
She enjoyed that she had recently watched Desty Destymukh won the Fide World Cup and wanted to be like her. “Yes,” she nodded firmly.He insists that he loves studying and chess as well. Its favorite subject is EV (Environmental Science).Is he nervous in the face of older and stronger players? “No … I’m just playing. Sometimes I make mistakes,” says Timesofindia.com in an exclusive interaction.
Coach
“The feeling was really amazing – like a parent and as a coach. Our child came and broke the record. Pride is for everyone – school, family, everywhere,” Surendar admits.The 33-year-old, originally from Rajasthan, but raised in Assam, was a competitive player himself and gained FIDE rating in his first national members.Today he runs the Chess Academy IgSF in Delhi and coaches at her daughter’s school.He says that Aarini’s chess road began almost as soon as she could walk. “She would stand alone from one age.
Aarini Lahots plays chess with his father (special arrangement)
From the beginning he ensured that she played in open categories. “She competed under 7, under 9 and 11 years old, not only in her age group. The loss is fine; what matters is learning. That’s what my father taught me by late Vijay Lahots, and I handed it over to her.”
A day in the life of a five -year champion
At home, Aarini Day is as structured as her chessboard. “After school, it lies for an hour and a half, then plays outside. Her mother takes care of her studies, focusing on her chess. She loves puzzles so much that she often sends me photos that says,” Please answer it right now, “says Surendar.The family ensures that there is no unhealthy pressure.“We keep it balanced: studies, chess, swimming. The school is very supportive and gives it freedom to concentrate on its dreams,” he adds.
Journey to us
With Indian chess in the Golden Era, D Gukesh as a world champion and stars like Humpy, Harika, Pragggnanandhaa and Wonder Inspiring new players, Aarini presents the youngest wave of this boom.Also read: The Mother’s Gambit: How T -Shirt in Household to prepare dinner for a record eight -year -old 8 -yearThe vision of her father is clear: “We want the youngest im and GM India to become the youngest Im and GM India.”But for the time being, Aarini continues to juggle school, play and chess with the calm confidence devoted to her age.
