Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India's 100th Chess Grandmaster in 2026
Key points
Indian chess player Anuj Shrivatri from Madhya Pradesh became India's 100th Chess Grandmaster on 8 November 2026 after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines.
The 22-year-old player also became the first Chess Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh, marking an important achievement for Indian chess.
The tournament was held in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, Philippines.
Despite losing his opening match, Shrivatri made a strong comeback and finished with 7 points from 9 rounds, securing the championship title.
Key Highlights
Player: Anuj Shrivatri
Achievement: India's 100th Chess Grandmaster
Date: 8 November 2026
Home State: Madhya Pradesh
Age: 22 Years
Tournament: 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship
Host Country: Philippines
Final Score: 7/9
Additional Achievement: First Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh
How Did Anuj Shrivatri Become a Grandmaster?
Anuj Shrivatri secured the Grandmaster title through a special FIDE-approved direct-title provision applicable to the championship.
Normally, a chess player must earn three Grandmaster norms and achieve a FIDE rating of at least 2500.
However, certain recognised international championships offer direct titles when the specified conditions are fulfilled.
Shrivatri's victory at the ASEAN Plus Championship qualified him through this special route.
India's Journey to 100 Chess Grandmasters
India's Grandmaster journey began with Viswanathan Anand, who became the country's first Grandmaster in 1988.
Milestone | Chess Player |
|---|---|
India's 1st Grandmaster | Viswanathan Anand |
India's 2nd Grandmaster | Dibyendu Barua |
India's 3rd Grandmaster | Praveen Thipsay |
India's 99th Grandmaster | V. S. Rathnavel |
India's 100th Grandmaster | Anuj Shrivatri |
India reached the milestone of 100 Grandmasters nearly four decades after Anand's achievement.
What is a Chess Grandmaster?
Grandmaster (GM) is the highest open chess title awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), apart from the separate World Champion designation.
The standard qualification route generally requires:
Three Grandmaster norms
A FIDE rating of at least 2500 at some point
Strong performances in internationally recognised tournaments
FIDE also provides direct-title routes through certain qualifying championships.
Important Facts for Competitive Exams
Topic | Important Fact |
|---|---|
India's 100th Grandmaster | Anuj Shrivatri |
Achievement Year | 2026 |
First GM from Madhya Pradesh | Anuj Shrivatri |
India's First Grandmaster | Viswanathan Anand |
First Indian GM Title Year | 1988 |
International Chess Federation | FIDE |
FIDE Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
Tournament Host Country | Philippines |
Grandmaster Standard Rating Requirement | 2500 Elo |
Conclusion
Anuj Shrivatri's achievement as India's 100th Chess Grandmaster marks an important milestone in the country's chess history.
His victory at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship also made him the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh.
