Bathinda’s Tanishka Becomes Youngest FIDE-Rated Female Chess Player from Punjab

Bathinda, August 5, 2025 — Eight-year-old Tanishka from Bathinda has created history by becoming the youngest female from Punjab to earn an international FIDE chess rating. She achieved this significant milestone during the National Chess Tournament (Under-9 category) held in Gurugram last month.

The official ratings were released in early August by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the international governing body of chess, following their standard global update cycle.

Previously, Tanvir Kaur Khinda held the record as Punjab’s youngest FIDE-rated female player at just over nine years old. Tanishka has now broken that record at eight years and four months.

To earn an initial FIDE rating, players must compete in at least five games against already-rated opponents, scoring at least one point and meeting the rating floor of 1400, as per revised FIDE norms.

Early Start and Rapid Rise

Tanishka began her chess journey at just four years old. Her brother was taking lessons from coach Pankaj Shama near their residence, and Tanishka, often accompanying him, quickly developed a keen interest in the game.

“After a couple of months, the coach felt she was ready to compete,” said her mother, Meenu Garg, in a conversation with The Tribune.

By age six, she had already made her mark by securing second place in the Punjab State Chess Championship (Under-9 category). She also participated in the Senior Women’s Championship held in Bathinda, where she impressively scored 2 out of 5 points.

These early successes encouraged her family to invest more seriously in her training. Tanishka is now coached by Sourabh Arora and Deepak Batra.

Recognition and Support

Ankush Kathuria, president of the Punjab State Chess Association, officially confirmed the milestone. “We are immensely proud to announce that Tanishka has become the youngest rated female chess player from Punjab,” he wrote in a social media post.

Kathuria praised the entire family’s dedication, noting, “Her journey is a story of discipline, consistency, and the invaluable support of her parents. It serves as a reminder that dreams are achievable when nurtured with sincerity and effort.”

Tanishka’s school, Silver Oaks School on Dabwali Road in Bathinda, has also played a vital role in encouraging her pursuit of chess. Her parents expressed gratitude to the school administration for their unwavering support.