Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster, Creates History for Madhya Pradesh

NEW DELHI, Nov 9: Indian chess achieved a historic milestone as International Master Anuj Shrivatri of Madhya Pradesh became the country’s 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines.

The 22 year old secured the prestigious distinction by winning the tournament held in Ozamiz City, adding another significant achievement to India’s growing presence in international chess.

His triumph also made him the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh, bringing recognition to the state’s chess community and marking an important moment in the sporting history of the region.

Shrivatri’s achievement was particularly remarkable because he recovered from a defeat in the opening round to finish at the top of the standings. He collected seven points from nine rounds, finishing half a point ahead of Vietnam’s Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa, who secured second position with 6.5 points.

Philippines player Nouri Alekhine finished third with six points, while Indian International Master Viani Antonio D’Cunha also registered six points to finish among the leading competitors.

The championship victory earned Shrivatri the direct Grandmaster title under the special regulations approved for the tournament.

The achievement brought an end to India’s long wait to reach the symbolic milestone of 100 Grandmasters, a journey that began with Viswanathan Anand becoming the country’s first player to receive the title in 1988.

The latest accomplishment also reflects the steady growth of competitive chess in India, with an increasing number of young players making their presence felt in international tournaments.
Recovery after opening round defeat
Shrivatri’s campaign in the Philippines did not begin as expected, as he suffered a defeat in his opening-round encounter against local player Arca Karlo.

However, the setback did not affect his determination to remain in contention for the championship.

The Indian player responded with a series of strong performances, collecting seven points from his remaining eight games to finish with an overall score of seven points.

As the competition progressed, Shrivatri improved his position in the standings and remained firmly in the race for the title.

The closing rounds proved particularly important, with the Indian player winning his final two encounters to secure the championship.

His ability to recover from an early setback demonstrated considerable composure and competitive determination.

The tournament featured several experienced international players, including Grandmasters and International Masters, making the victory an important achievement for the young Indian.

Shrivatri entered the event as the fourth seed with a rating of 2450. Despite the presence of higher-ranked competitors, he managed to finish ahead of the field through consistent performances.

His final score of seven points placed him half a point ahead of Nguyen Duc Hoa, while the remaining leading players were unable to match his overall performance.

The victory also carried financial recognition, with Shrivatri receiving the tournament’s first prize of USD 3,000.
First Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh
Apart from becoming India’s 100th Grandmaster, Shrivatri’s achievement has particular significance for Madhya Pradesh.

The state had been waiting for its first player to enter the prestigious Grandmaster category, and the Katni-born chess player has now achieved that distinction.

His success is expected to provide encouragement to young chess enthusiasts across the region, particularly those who aspire to compete at national and international levels.

Shrivatri had already established himself as a promising player before the championship, having earned the International Master title in 2020.

He continued participating in competitive tournaments and gradually strengthened his position in the Indian chess circuit.

His latest success has now placed him among the country’s leading chess personalities and added a new chapter to Madhya Pradesh’s sporting achievements.

The accomplishment has also attracted attention because of the manner in which he secured the title.

Unlike the conventional route, which generally requires players to earn three Grandmaster norms across at least 27 games and achieve a FIDE rating of 2,500, the ASEAN Plus championship operated under special FIDE-approved conditions that allowed the winner to receive a direct Grandmaster title.

The tournament had to meet specific participation requirements, including the presence of a minimum number of Grandmasters and International Masters in every round.

Shrivatri’s victory therefore fulfilled the conditions necessary for the direct award of the title.
India’s journey from its first to 100th Grandmaster
India’s journey towards 100 Grandmasters began with Viswanathan Anand, who became the country’s first player to earn the title in 1988.

Anand’s achievements played a major role in increasing the popularity of chess across the country and inspiring generations of young players.

His success at the international level helped establish India as an emerging force in the sport.

Over the following decades, several Indian players followed in his footsteps, gradually strengthening the country’s position in world chess.

The growth became particularly noticeable during the last decade, as more players gained access to professional coaching, international competitions and improved training facilities.

India’s chess ecosystem has expanded significantly, with players from different states competing successfully against established international opponents.

The achievement of reaching 100 Grandmasters is therefore not just an individual accomplishment but also an indication of the growing depth of talent within the country.

Shrivatri became the latest addition to a list that includes several prominent names who have represented India at major international competitions.

The country’s 99th Grandmaster, V S Rathanvel, achieved the distinction in July 2026 after crossing the required rating threshold at the Guwahati Smart City International Open.

Before him, S Aswath and other emerging players had also contributed to India’s expanding Grandmaster list.

The latest milestone has come within a relatively short period after India reached its 96th Grandmaster, highlighting the increasing pace at which Indian players are entering the highest category of chess.
All India Chess Federation congratulates Shrivatri
The achievement received widespread appreciation from the Indian chess fraternity.

All India Chess Federation president Nitin Narang congratulated Shrivatri and described his success as a historic moment for Indian chess.

In a message shared on social media, Narang highlighted that Shrivatri had become the country’s 100th Grandmaster by winning the ASEAN Plus Individual Chess Championships in the Philippines.

He also expressed hope that India would continue its progress and eventually reach the milestone of 200 Grandmasters.

The federation’s recognition underlined the importance of the achievement for Indian chess and its future development.

The milestone has also generated considerable enthusiasm among chess enthusiasts, coaches and young players who view the accomplishment as an indication of the opportunities available through dedication and sustained competitive participation.

For Madhya Pradesh, the achievement is equally significant because the state now has its first representative in the Grandmaster category.

Shrivatri’s journey is expected to encourage more young players from the region to pursue chess professionally.
Growing strength of Indian chess
India’s achievement of reaching 100 Grandmasters comes at a time when the country has established itself as one of the strongest emerging centres of international chess.

The success of players across different age groups has increased the country’s visibility in major competitions.

Indian chess has also benefited from the performances of young talents who have challenged established international players in prestigious tournaments.

The country’s growing presence in international championships reflects improvements in training standards, tournament participation and competitive exposure.

Several Indian players have also secured important victories in youth and senior competitions, further strengthening confidence in the country’s future prospects.

The increasing number of Grandmasters has provided a larger pool of experienced players who can contribute to the development of younger competitors.

However, reaching the 100-player milestone also brings new expectations for the country’s chess administration and sporting institutions.

Providing opportunities for emerging players, supporting participation in international events and strengthening coaching infrastructure will remain important for sustaining the growth.

The development of regional chess centres could also help identify talent from areas that have traditionally received less attention.

Shrivatri’s success from Madhya Pradesh demonstrates that promising players can emerge from different parts of the country and compete successfully at the highest level.
A new chapter for Madhya Pradesh
For Shrivatri, the championship victory represents the culmination of years of preparation and participation in competitive chess.

His recovery from the opening-round loss demonstrated the importance of maintaining concentration throughout a tournament rather than allowing an early setback to affect subsequent performances.

Winning the final two rounds also highlighted his ability to deliver when the championship was at stake.

The direct Grandmaster title has now placed him among India’s elite chess players and created a new benchmark for aspiring competitors from Madhya Pradesh.

The achievement is also expected to strengthen interest in chess across Katni and neighbouring areas, where young players may look towards his journey as an example.

As India celebrates its 100th Grandmaster, the focus will increasingly shift towards developing the next generation of international-level players.

The country has already demonstrated that it possesses considerable talent and competitive potential. Maintaining this momentum will require continued investment in grassroots development and opportunities for players to participate in high-quality tournaments.

Shrivatri’s success has provided a memorable moment for Indian chess, while his achievement as the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh has given the state a special place in the country’s sporting history.

From Anand’s historic achievement in 1988 to Shrivatri’s championship victory in 2026, India’s journey to 100 Grandmasters reflects nearly four decades of progress.

The latest milestone is expected to inspire aspiring chess players across the country as India looks towards its next major target of developing 200 Grandmasters.