Nihal Sarin is a 15-year-old Indian Chess Grandmaster with a FIDE rating of 2610. He is the youngest player currently and the third-youngest player in history to hold a rating of 2600, accomplishing this feat at age 14. His blitz rating of 2685 already makes him world No 49 and India No 3 in the blitz format. He is also the current Asian Continental Blitz Chess Champion.
Nihal Sarin has signed the biggest sponsorship deal by an Indian chess player since the great Viswanathan Anand. The 15-year-old has been taken on as brand ambassador by Akshayakalpa, an organic milk manufacturing company based in Bengaluru. The deal will help the youngster compete in big tournaments around the world and hire good trainers.
This is the youngster’s only big sponsorship deal after the one he received from Tata Trusts two years ago. As chess is an expensive sport at the international level, this latest deal will help him compete in big tournaments around the world and hire good trainers.
“A sponsorship like this was something that he needed,” Sarin’s manager Priyadarshan Banjan was quoted as saying by Sportstar. “It is a long-term sponsorship and is a big step forward for Nihal. It will increase his chances of succeeding at the highest level.” Sarin will be leaving for the World Cup on Thursday, beginning on September 9 in Russia.
Source: www.scroll.in
