Apaar Saxena, 14, becomes International Master in five weeks with three norms across Europe
Synopsis
A 14-year-old from Bengaluru just did what takes most players years: Apaar Saxena earned his International Master title in five weeks, scoring 7/9 in three European tournaments and jumping 265 rating points. With no personal coach for two years and support from his school and family, Saxena's rapid rise signals that India's next generation of chess elite is arriving faster than expected.
Key Takeaways
Apaar Saxena , age 14 , from Bengaluru , attained the International Master (IM) title on 3 May after securing three norms in five weeks.
He scored 7/9 at IM Renome 2 in Bosnia ( 30 March ), San Vicente Open in Spain ( 6 April ), and IM Putnik 114 in Serbia ( 3 May ).
His rating surged from 2185 to an official 2362 (with a live peak above 2450 ) — a gain of 265+ points in five weeks.
He competed without a personal coach for two years, relying on school support from Silicon City Academy and online courses.
His father Prashant Saxena oversaw tournament planning; earlier coach was Jayaram Ramana .
Apaar Saxena, a 14-year-old chess prodigy from Bengaluru, has attained the prestigious International Master (IM) title after securing all three required norms within five weeks across European tournaments. The achievement marks one of the fastest IM title acquisitions by an Indian junior player and underscores the country's deepening bench of world-class chess talent.
The tournament run
Saxena's breakthrough began at the IM Renome 2 tournament in Bosnia on 30 March, where he scored 7/9 to clinch the title and secure his maiden IM norm. He followed this with an equally dominant performance at the San Vicente Open in Spain on 6 April, posting 7/9 in a field of over 500 players from 54 countries, earning his second norm with two rounds remaining. At the Menorca Open in late April, Saxena posted a performance rating of 2404 but narrowly missed a third consecutive norm. His final norm came at the IM Putnik 114 tournament in Serbia on 3 May, where he again scored 7/9.
The rating surge
Saxena's five-week campaign also saw a dramatic rating ascent. His live rating surpassed 2450 during the Serbian event, a jump of 265 points from his official rating of 2185 prior to the European run. His official rating stood at 2362 as of 1 May. This rapid progression — from sub-2200 to IM-strength in weeks — reflects both exceptional form and the calibre of opposition he faced.
Support structure
Apaar's father, Prashant Saxena, has overseen his tournament planning and preparation, while his mother, Ruchi Saxena, has provided consistent support. According to Prashant, Apaar did not have a personal coach in the previous two years; his earlier coach was Jayaram Ramana. His school, Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education in Bengaluru, with Principal Sumalini and School Coordinator Shenoy, has been instrumental in facilitating his development. Apaar has also benefited from online courses through Killer Chess Training and Yuri Vovk academies.
What this means for Indian chess
India has produced multiple young IM talents in recent years, but Saxena's five-week norm run places him in rare company. The speed of his ascent — combined with his age — suggests potential for further rapid progression toward the Grandmaster title. Notably, his achievement comes amid a broader wave of junior Indian talent breaking into the international elite, reinforcing India's position as a chess power.
What's next
With the IM title secured, Saxena will likely target the Grandmaster (GM) norm requirements, which demand performances at even higher-rated tournaments. Chess observers are watching closely to see whether his current form sustains or whether the rapid rise follows a consolidation phase — a common pattern among young prodigies who break through quickly.
Point of View
But it also reflects a broader trend: India's junior chess ecosystem — once reliant on a handful of elite academies — is now producing talent through diverse pathways. A 14-year-old without a personal coach, armed with online courses and family support, breaking through on the European circuit signals that the pipeline is both deeper and more distributed than conventional wisdom suggests. The real question isn't whether he becomes a Grandmaster — the rating trajectory suggests he will — but how many others like him are just below the surface, waiting for the right tournament window.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the International Master (IM) title in chess?
The International Master title is the second-highest rating-based title in chess, awarded by FIDE (World Chess Federation) to players who achieve a rating above 2400 and earn three norms by scoring 50% or higher in tournaments with a minimum rating average. It sits below Grandmaster (GM) and above FIDE Master (FM).
How did Apaar Saxena earn his three IM norms?
Saxena earned his first norm by scoring 7/9 at IM Renome 2 in Bosnia on 30 March, his second by scoring 7/9 at the San Vicente Open in Spain on 6 April, and his third by scoring 7/9 at IM Putnik 114 in Serbia on 3 May. All three performances came within five weeks.
What is remarkable about Saxena's rating jump?
Saxena's official rating rose from 2185 to 2362 in five weeks — a gain of 177 points — while his live rating surpassed 2450 during tournaments. Such rapid rating gains are uncommon and typically occur only when a young player breaks through a competitive ceiling with sustained high performance.
Did Apaar Saxena have coaching support during his IM run?
According to his father, Apaar did not have a personal coach during the previous two years. His earlier coach was Jayaram Ramana. During his IM run, he relied on online courses from Killer Chess Training and Yuri Vovk academies, plus support from his school, Silicon City Academy of Secondary Education in Bengaluru.
What is Apaar Saxena's next goal?
With the IM title secured at age 14, Saxena's natural next target is the Grandmaster (GM) title, which requires a rating above 2500 and three GM norms at even higher-rated tournaments. His current trajectory suggests this is within reach in the coming years.
