Fourteen-year-old Aryan Chopra confirmed his Grandmaster title when he breached the Elo 2500 mark in live ratings with consecutive victories in the opening three rounds of the Dato Arthur Tan International Open chess championship in Malaysia. The Delhi lad attained his third and final GM norm in Abu Dhabi last month, but had to earn four more Elo points to complete the formalities for securing the title. Aryan is currently the youngest of all active Grandmasters. At 14 years, nine months and three days, he is 19th youngest ever in the all-time list. So far 26 players have attained their GM titles before turning 15.
As luck would have it, after completing the rating requirement, Aryan lost to compatriot GM Swapnil Dhopade in the fourth round. The loss will not hamper his GM title credentials. However, the Indian lad might have to go some distance to be mentioned on par with IM Parham Maghsoodloo (Iran), IM Li Ruifeng, GMs Jeffery Xiong and Samuel Sevian (all USA) who can be called the world's strongest young players at the moment due to their higher Elo ratings.
