Twenty-two-year-old Anuj Shrivatri from Katni, Madhya Pradesh, made history on November 8, 2026, by becoming India’s 100th chess Grandmaster (GM) and the first player from his state to earn the prestigious title. He achieved the milestone after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in Ozamiz City, Philippines, finishing with seven points from nine rounds.
His victory came after an opening-round defeat, followed by a strong comeback that saw him win six of his remaining eight games. The achievement coincided with Diwali celebrations in India, making it a memorable occasion for his family and supporters. All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang congratulated Shrivatri, describing the achievement as a historic milestone for Indian chess and expressing hope that the country would progress towards producing 200 Grandmasters.
A Historic Comeback
Shrivatri’s journey to the title was marked by determination and consistency. Competing in the nine-round championship in the Philippines, he lost his opening game against Filipino player Arca Karlo. However, he recovered from the setback, winning six of his remaining eight games to finish with seven points. He also won his final two rounds, securing the championship when the title was still at stake. Shrivatri finished half a point ahead of Vietnam’s Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa, who secured second place with 6.5 points, while the Philippines’ Nouri Alekhine finished third with six points. The tournament followed a special format that allowed its winner to earn the Grandmaster title directly, making the victory particularly significant.
Congratulating him, AICF President Nitin Narang posted on X: “GRANDMASTER No. 100 FOR BHARAT! India achieves a historic milestone as Anuj Shrivatri becomes the country’s 100th Grandmaster by winning the 7th ASEAN Individual Chess Championships 2026 in Ozamiz City, Philippines, securing the direct GM title! Congratulations, Anuj! A proud moment for Indian chess. Onwards to 200 Grandmasters!” His message highlighted the significance of the achievement for India’s growing chess community.
GRANDMASTER No. 100 FOR BHARAT! India achieves a historic milestone as Anuj Shrivatri becomes the country’s 100th Grandmaster by winning the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships 2026 in Ozamiz City, Philippines, securing the direct GM title! Congratulations, Anuj! A proud moment for Indian chess. Onwards to 200 Grandmasters! @narendramodi @mansukhmandviya @FIDE_chess @PMOIndia @IndiaSports @Media_SAI @aicfchess
— Nitin Narang (@narangnitin) November 8, 2026
A Family’s Support
Shrivatri’s achievement is the culmination of years of dedication and support from his family. Hailing from Katni, Madhya Pradesh, he started playing chess in 2011 at the age of seven. His father, Ashok Shrivatri, had been interested in chess during his younger years but could not pursue it professionally. He encouraged his son to take up the game and helped him find his first coach, VK Tiwari. Shrivatri subsequently learnt from several coaches, including Rajesh Bahadur and Niklesh Jain, who later became his mentor. His parents, both teachers, consistently supported his ambitions, accompanying him to tournaments and contributing their savings towards his training and participation in competitions. His father also recalled taking pay cuts to travel with him for tournaments when he was younger.
Alongside chess, Shrivatri performed well academically and completed a BTech degree specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Lovely Professional University. He subsequently secured a software engineering job with a German company. However, balancing professional responsibilities with competitive chess became increasingly difficult. His father explained that pursuing chess at the highest level required eight to nine hours of dedicated practice each day. Shrivatri eventually decided to leave his stable software engineering career to focus on achieving his Grandmaster ambition, with his family continuing to support his decision.
India’s Chess Journey
Shrivatri’s achievement marks an important chapter in India’s chess history. Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster in 1988, inspiring generations of young Indians to pursue the sport professionally. Nearly four decades later, India has reached the milestone of 100 Grandmasters, reflecting the country’s growing presence in international chess. The progress has been particularly notable in recent years.
In July 2026, VS Rathanvel became India’s 99th Grandmaster, bringing the country closer to the landmark. Shrivatri subsequently became the 100th player to earn the title. Reacting to the development, Anand described the milestone as remarkable, particularly because of the pace at which India’s Grandmaster numbers had increased.
He recalled that India had around 30 Grandmasters 15 years earlier and had reached 75 around the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai. He said, “Four years later, we are at 100. It’s a nice moment to sit back and feel satisfied.” The Grandmaster title, awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is the highest standard title in chess. Under the conventional qualification route, players must secure three Grandmaster norms across at least 27 games and achieve a FIDE rating of 2,500. Shrivatri, however, earned the title through the special direct-title provision of the championship, which was approved under FIDE regulations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Anuj Shrivatri’s achievement is more than an individual sporting triumph; it highlights the importance of perseverance, family support and opportunities for young talent. His recovery from an opening defeat demonstrates how determination can help individuals overcome setbacks, while his family’s sacrifices underline the support systems that often make sporting ambitions possible.
Equally significant is Madhya Pradesh producing its first Grandmaster, showing that sporting excellence can emerge from regions beyond established centres of competition. India’s achievement of reaching 100 Grandmasters should encourage greater investment in grassroots chess, affordable coaching, accessible tournaments and sporting infrastructure, particularly for children from smaller towns and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Talent should not be restricted by financial circumstances or geographical barriers. As India looks towards producing its next 100 Grandmasters, how can communities, educational institutions and sports organisations work together to make chess more accessible to young people across the country?
Read More: 17-Year-Old Shourya Ambure Overcomes ACL Injury To Win Historic Youth Olympics Bronze
