Indian teenager Goutham Krishna made headlines on the opening day of the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships with a remarkable performance that stunned seasoned observers. At just 15 years old, the International Master from Kerala remained unbeaten against some of the world’s strongest players.
Goutham scored victories over Grandmasters Aleksander Indjic, Aravindh Chithambaram, and former World Cup winner Teimour Radjabov. He also held his ground with draws against other elite opponents, ensuring a flawless start to his campaign.
By the end of Day 1, Goutham had collected 6.0 rating points and was placed just half a point behind leaders Magnus Carlsen, D. Gukesh, and Arjun Erigaisi. His fearless play and tactical sharpness drew praise from experts, who described his run as one of the most impressive debuts in recent memory.
For Indian chess, his success adds to a growing list of young talents making their mark on the global stage. With Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun already established as top contenders, Goutham’s emergence signals another bright chapter in the country’s rise in world chess.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the teenager to see if he can sustain his momentum and challenge the very best in the rapid format.
