The Abhimanyu Mishra Effect

A parent reached out to me for chess instructions for their 6-year-old son, rated 1600 USCF. For some months now, I let go of chess Instructions to focus on other things. This time, I decided to take on this offer.

On meeting the young man for the first time, I asked about his chess goals, and he replied, “I want to be the youngest chess Grandmaster in the world just like Abhimanyu.”

I smiled and told him he could achieve it if he worked at it. Moreso, he still has some years ahead of him to break Abhimanyu’s record. I would be glad if he achieves it someday and knows that I was part of his journey.

Parents are now much more interested in their kids becoming Grandmaster at a younger age. It’s more like saying I want to become the youngest professor at age 12. Abhimanyu achieved his GM title at the age of 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days.

For those new to chess, the Grandmaster title is the highest echelon title in chess.
The Abhimanyu Mishra effect — Don’t be surprised; somewhere around the world, someone is already planning to make their unborn baby a chess Grandmaster. 😊