Luca Protopopescu

Luca Protopopescu is a remarkable 9-year-old chess prodigy of Romanian descent, residing in Marseille. He has gained international recognition as the world's number one player in the under-10 category, showcasing his extraordinary talent from a young age. Luca began playing chess at just 4 years old, inspired by his father's passion for the game. He made history in April 2024 by becoming the youngest player ever to surpass the 2,200 Elo rating threshold. His recent performance at the Échecs en Fête festival, where he faced 12 opponents simultaneously, further solidified his status as one of the brightest hopes in French chess.