Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster in Historic Milestone

India has reached a major milestone in international chess, with 25-year-old Anuj Shrivatri becoming the country’s 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship 2026 in Ozamiz City, Philippines.

The victory marks a historic achievement for Indian chess and also makes Shrivatri the first Grandmaster from the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

His triumph secured the prestigious Grandmaster title, taking India to the landmark of 100 players holding the highest distinction in competitive chess.

India’s journey towards this milestone began in 1987, when Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster after winning the Shakti Finance International Chess Tournament in Coimbatore. Anand went on to become one of the most celebrated figures in world chess, inspiring generations of Indian players.

In July 2026, VS Rathanvel became India's 99th Grandmaster after crossing the 2,500 Elo rating threshold at the Guwahati Smart City International Open.

The Grandmaster title is awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and represents the highest recognised achievement in chess. Players generally need to secure three Grandmaster norms across a minimum of 27 games and achieve a FIDE rating of at least 2,500 to qualify for the title.

The All India Chess Federation congratulated Shrivatri on his achievement, describing it as a proud moment for Indian chess.

With the 100-Grandmaster milestone now achieved, the federation has set its sights on an even more ambitious target of reaching 200 Grandmasters, reflecting India's growing strength and expanding presence in international chess.

Shrivatri's achievement represents not only a personal triumph but also another significant chapter in India's remarkable journey as a global chess powerhouse.