Chess sensation Apar Saxena, just 14 years old from Bengaluru, has rocketed to International Master (IM) status in an astonishing five-week blitz across European tournaments. The 2012-born talent completed the trio of norms required for the title, showcasing skill levels far beyond his years and signaling a new era for Indian chess prodigies.
It all began with a bang on March 30 in Bosnia’s IM Renom 2 event. Apar’s flawless play netted him 7 points from 9 games, clinching the tournament win and his inaugural IM norm. This victory served as a launchpad for his whirlwind European campaign.
Momentum carried into Spain’s San Vicente Open on April 6, a massive gathering of over 500 competitors from 54 nations. Undeterred by the scale, Apar repeated his 7/9 feat, locking in the second norm ahead of schedule. Such back-to-back dominance revealed his strategic depth and mental fortitude.
April closed with the Mallorca Open, where Apar posted a stellar 2404 performance rating. He scooped up valuable Elo points but fell just short of the third norm despite battling till the end. This near-miss only fueled his determination for the finale.
Victory was sealed in Serbia at the IM Putnik 114 on May 3. With another commanding 7/9 score, Apar nailed the final norm, earning official IM recognition. His live rating crossed 2450, reflecting explosive growth from 2185 to a May 1 official 2362.
Family has been the backbone of Apar’s success. Prashant Saxena, his father, orchestrated training and logistics, complemented by mother Ruchi’s emotional support. At Silicon City Academy, principal Sumalini and coordinator Shenoy provided vital encouragement. Self-driven for two years without a private coach—after training with Jayaram Ramana—Apar leveraged platforms like Killer Chess Training and Yuri Vovk’s programs.
This rapid ascent positions Apar as a chess wunderkind, poised to challenge grandmasters soon. His story of discipline and talent redefines possibilities in competitive chess.
