Faustino's Run Through The Record Books

FM Faustino Oro recently made news by becoming the youngest International Master in history. As amazing as that accomplishment is, what he's demonstrated in online play is even more impressive. Let's take a look at Faustino's most amazing achievements online and how they compare to other recent prodigies.

• Youngest Players To Reach 3000 Blitz On Chess.com
• Youngest Players To Reach 3100 Blitz On Chess.com
• Youngest Players To Reach 3000 Bullet On Chess.com
• Whats Next?

3000 Blitz

Faustino started playing chess in 2020 as a six-year-old. His parents wanted something he could do inside the house during the COVID-19 pandemic. His chess career quickly took off:

When he first broke the 3000 barrier on June 17th, 2024, he became the youngest player to hit that mark in the history of Chess.com. At 10 years, seven months, and 24 days old, he shattered the record previously held by GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus by one year, four months, and five days.

Here's the game that brought Oro over 3000, a convincing win against GM Giorgi Margvelashvili.

3100 Blitz

Of course, Faustino didn't stop playing after reaching 3000. He's played his best chess in the last few weeks and has already reached the next 100-point milestone. Once again, Erdogmus was the previous record-holder. This time, Faustino achieved this prolific rating more than a year and a half younger than anyone in history.

This sort of win over the record-holder for the highest-ever rating on the site, GM Hikaru Nakamura, is representative of Faustino's recent success.

10 year old Faustino Oro celebrates after defeating Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in a game earlier today.

Faustino is the #1 chess prodigy in the world right now. pic.twitter.com/RL4XAx2EAg

— GothamChess (@GothamChess) July 4, 2024

3000 Bullet

Oro doesn't just play blitz and classical. He even sets himself apart with his one-minute bullet chess skills. On July 15, 2024, Faustino broke 3000 in bullet for the first time with this quick attack. 

Once again, this broke a Chess.com record, this time surpassing IM Elie Milikow's old mark, which had stood since 2018.

What's Next?

As Faustino aims to keep going up the rating charts, it's going to get much harder. Fortunately, he has a lot of time to set records. Only a handful of accounts have ever broken the 3200 Chess.com blitz rating mark. The youngest to accomplish this feat is GM Alireza Firouzja, who did it when he was 16 years old. That means that Oro has five and half years to gain the next 100 points and set the record! 

We will be watching!

Do you want to learn more about Faustino Oro? Then check out his Spotlight article on ChessKid!