Indian chess has achieved a historic milestone as Anuj Shrivatri became India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster (GM) after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines on November 8, 2026.
The 22-year-old chess player from Katni, Madhya Pradesh, also became the first-ever Grandmaster from the state, marking a significant achievement for Indian chess.
Shrivatri secured the prestigious title after winning the tournament, finishing with 7 points out of 9 rounds. His victory came nearly 38 years after legendary Indian chess player Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster in 1988.
Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India’s 100th Grandmaster
- Anuj Shrivatri created history by becoming the 100th Indian chess Grandmaster through his victory at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship.
- The tournament was held in the Philippines, where Shrivatri demonstrated remarkable determination and consistency.
- Despite losing his opening-round game, he made a strong comeback and secured seven points from nine rounds.
- His final victory helped him finish ahead of several international competitors and earn the Grandmaster title through the tournament’s FIDE-approved direct-title format.
With this achievement, Shrivatri became:
- India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster.
- The first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh.
- One of India’s newest representatives in international elite chess.
- A significant addition to India’s growing list of chess Grandmasters.
7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship
- The 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship proved to be a landmark tournament for Indian chess.
- The competition was held in the Philippines and attracted several international players.
- Anuj Shrivatri entered the tournament as an International Master with a rating of approximately 2450.
- His campaign initially faced a setback after losing his first game. However, he recovered strongly, winning six of his next eight games to finish with seven points.
- He secured the top position, finishing half a point ahead of Vietnamese Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa.
- The tournament victory earned him the direct Grandmaster title under the special FIDE-approved format.
Who Is Anuj Shrivatri?
- Anuj Shrivatri is a 22-year-old Indian chess player from Katni, Madhya Pradesh.
- He developed an interest in chess at a young age and gradually established himself as one of the promising players from the state.
- He earned the International Master (IM) title in 2019 and continued working towards the prestigious Grandmaster title.
- His journey involved years of dedicated practice, tournament participation and personal sacrifices.
- Shrivatri’s achievement is particularly significant because Madhya Pradesh had never produced a chess Grandmaster before him.
- His historic success has brought national attention to the state’s emerging chess talent.
India’s Journey from 1 to 100 Chess Grandmasters
- India’s journey to 100 Grandmasters represents nearly four decades of development in competitive chess.
- The country’s first Grandmaster was Viswanathan Anand, who achieved the milestone in 1988.
- He subsequently became a five-time World Chess Champion and played a major role in popularising chess across India.
- The second Indian Grandmaster was Dibyendu Barua, who earned the title in 1991.
- Praveen Thipsay became India’s third Grandmaster in 1997.
- Since then, Indian chess has witnessed remarkable growth, with several young players achieving international recognition.
- The achievement of Anuj Shrivatri marks the completion of an important milestone in this journey.
Important Milestones in Indian Chess
| Milestone | Player | Year |
|---|---|---|
| India’s 1st Grandmaster | Viswanathan Anand | 1988 |
| India’s 2nd Grandmaster | Dibyendu Barua | 1991 |
| India’s 3rd Grandmaster | Praveen Thipsay | 1997 |
| India’s 99th Grandmaster | V. S. Rathanvel | 2026 |
| India’s 100th Grandmaster | Anuj Shrivatri | 2026 |
India Becomes the Fourth Country to Reach 100 Grandmasters
India’s achievement is also significant on the international chess stage.
With Anuj Shrivatri becoming the country’s 100th Grandmaster, India joined an exclusive group of countries that have crossed the 100-Grandmaster milestone.
According to reports, India became the fourth country to reach this landmark.
The development highlights India’s growing strength in international chess and its expanding pool of professional players.
India has produced several internationally recognised chess talents, including:
- Viswanathan Anand
- D. Gukesh
- R. Praggnanandhaa
- Arjun Erigaisi
- Vidit Gujrathi
- Nihal Sarin
- R. Vaishali
These players have strengthened India’s position as one of the leading chess-playing nations.
What Is the Grandmaster (GM) Title in Chess?
The Grandmaster title is the highest standard open chess title awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
FIDE is the international governing body responsible for regulating competitive chess worldwide.
Under the conventional qualification route, a player generally needs to:
- Achieve a FIDE classical rating of at least 2500 at some point.
- Earn three Grandmaster norms.
- Meet the required tournament and opponent eligibility conditions.
However, certain FIDE-approved competitions can award direct Grandmaster titles under special regulations.
Anuj Shrivatri earned his title through the direct-title format at the ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship.
The Grandmaster title is one of the most prestigious achievements in professional chess and represents exceptional competitive ability.
Significance of Anuj Shrivatri’s Achievement
Anuj Shrivatri’s historic achievement is important for several reasons.
1. India’s 100th Grandmaster: His victory takes India’s total number of chess Grandmasters to 100.
2. First Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh: He becomes the first player from the state to achieve the prestigious title.
3. International Recognition: His victory strengthens India’s reputation as a leading chess nation.
4. Inspiration for Young Players: His journey demonstrates the importance of determination, discipline and consistent practice.
5. Growth of Indian Chess: The milestone reflects the development of India’s chess ecosystem over the past four decades.
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