Men's Top 100 · #24
Nihal Sarin
IND
Nihal Sarin is ranked #24 in FIDE open with a rating of 2716. Indian GM known for lightning-fast intuition and aggressive play, one of India's most exciting talents of his generation.
FIDE Rating
2716
World Rank
#24
Federation
IND
Age
22 (2004)
About Nihal Sarin
Nihal Sarin is currently ranked #24 in the world FIDE classical chess rankings with a rating of 2716 , representing IND. Born in 2004, Nihal Sarin is 22 years old.
Nihal Sarin is ranked #24 in FIDE open with a rating of 2716. Indian GM known for lightning-fast intuition and aggressive play, one of India's most exciting talents of his generation.
The classical FIDE rating of 2716 is calculated from over-the-board tournament games played in FIDE-rated events. Ratings are updated monthly on the FIDE rating list. A rating above 2700 is widely considered the threshold for super-grandmaster status, placing Nihal Sarin among the strongest players in the world.
Shatranj Live tracks Nihal Sarin and all FIDE top-100 players across supertournaments, with standings and game results updated in real time as each round concludes.
Classical Rating
2716
FIDE list
World Rank
#24
Open list
Federation
IND
FIDE registered
Data as of March 2026. Ratings update on the 1st of each month.
Career Highlights
- Became a Grandmaster at age 14 years and 1 month, one of India's youngest ever GMs.
- Held the world #1 ranking in online blitz on Chess.com and Lichess for extended periods.
- Known for exceptional speed chess ability, with rapid and blitz ratings significantly higher than his classical rating.
- Part of India's golden generation alongside Gukesh, Pragg, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vaishali.
- Competed in multiple Grand Prix events and online elite tournaments through the mid-2020s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nihal Sarin as strong in classical chess as in rapid/blitz? ▾
Nihal's classical rating (around 2700) is notably lower than his rapid and blitz ratings, where he has ranked among the world's very best. He has been working on strengthening his classical preparation to close that gap.
How does Nihal Sarin fit into Indian chess's rise? ▾
Nihal is part of an extraordinary generation of Indian GMs — including Gukesh, Pragg, and Arjun Erigaisi — who emerged in the late 2010s and early 2020s. India's chess infrastructure, led by Viswanathan Anand's influence, produced this generation.
Follow Nihal Sarin live
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