Tanishka Garg: Punjab’s Youngest FIDE-Rated Chess Talent

Some stories stand out because of how early they begin. Tanishka Garg, a young girl from Bathinda in Punjab, has achieved something many only dream of. She’s just eight years old and already holds an international FIDE chess rating, making her the youngest female in Punjab to achieve this distinction.

Her story is not only about winning games but also about early learning, encouragement, and consistent support from people around her.

Getting to Know Tanishka Garg

Tanishka is a third-grade student at Silver Oaks School in Bathinda. At the age of eight years and four months, she received her first official chess rating of 1452 from FIDE, the world chess governing body. This rating places her among officially recognised players worldwide.

Achieving the FIDE Rating

Tanishka participated in the Under-9 National Chess Tournament, held in Gurugram in July 2025. Her performance there helped her qualify for the FIDE rating list, which was updated in August 2025.

With this rating, she became the youngest girl from Punjab to enter the FIDE-rated list. Before her, the youngest player with this title in the state was just over nine years old.

How It All Started

Tanishka’s fascination with chess started back when she was four. She would often accompany her older brother to his chess coaching sessions. A well-established coach in Bathinda, Pankaj Shama, led the initiative.

At first, she was just an observer. But her natural curiosity and quick grasp of the game stood out. Coach Shama noticed her sharp thinking and suggested she try playing in actual tournaments. That advice marked the beginning of her chess journey.

Her First Steps in Competitive Chess

Tanishka entered her first big competition when she was six. She secured second place in the Under-9 category at the Punjab State Championship.

By the end of that year, she had also competed in the Senior Women’s Championship hosted in Bathinda. Although she was much younger than her opponents, she managed to score two points out of five. Her performance surprised many and helped her family realise that she was ready for serious training.

Support from Coaches and School

Tanishka is currently learning from two well-respected coaches: Sourabh Arora and Deepak Batra. Their training has helped her strengthen her skills and prepare for higher-level competitions.

Her school, Silver Oaks, has been very helpful as well. They’ve supported her journey by helping her balance studies and sports, which has been essential for her growth as a player.

Role of Her Parents

Tanishka’s progress would not have been possible without the strong support of her parents, Bhushan and Meenu Garg. From helping her attend classes and training to managing travel for tournaments, they’ve always been involved in every step.

Their consistent encouragement has played a big part in helping her focus and keep improving. Family involvement like this is often the foundation behind many young achievers.

Recognition from the Chess Community

Tanishka’s achievements have been appreciated by the Punjab State Chess Association. Its president, Ankush Kathuria, acknowledged her hard work and dedication. He also highlighted how her parents' support made her success possible.

He mentioned that Tanishka is a role model for many young children across Punjab, especially for those who want to follow their interests at a young age.

Why Her Story Is Inspiring

Tanishka’s journey is important because it shows that young children can reach big goals if given the right environment. With early exposure, quality training, and consistent backing, even young players can reach national or international levels.

Her story is especially encouraging for girls in India who want to explore competitive sports like chess, where visibility and support are often limited.

What Comes Next

Now that she holds an official FIDE rating, Tanishka will be taking part in more tournaments. Each event will give her the chance to grow, learn from new opponents, and potentially improve her rating further.

Her coaches are now focused on helping her develop deeper strategies and work on her endgame tactics. Over the next few years, she will likely take part in national and international events as she continues progressing.

In Summary

At just eight years old, Tanishka Garg has achieved something remarkable. From watching her brother’s chess sessions to competing in national tournaments, her journey reflects how young minds can achieve a lot with the right guidance.

Her success is not just about numbers or ratings. It’s about the steps she has taken at every stage—early practice, first competitions, support from parents, good coaching, and encouragement from her school and community.

For other young players and their families, Tanishka’s story serves as a reminder that with interest, effort, and support, anything is possible.