Anuj Shrivatri becomes India's 100th chess Grandmaster
8 November 2026
Anuj Shrivatri, 22, became India's 100th chess Grandmaster by winning the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Open in Ozamiz City, the Philippines. He scored seven points from nine rounds despite losing his first game, and the result earned him the title. He is also the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh. Viswanathan Anand had become India's first Grandmaster in 1988, and S. Aswath and V. S. Rathanvel recently became the 98th and 99th. Around 80 of India's 100 Grandmasters have emerged since 2010, and Tamil Nadu alone has nearly 40.
India's Grandmaster count:
100
Score:
7 from 9 rounds
First Indian GM:
Viswanathan Anand (1988)
Why it matters for exams: Sports firsts and milestones recur in exams: who was India's first Grandmaster, which body awards the title, and which state has the most.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
FIDE Fédération Internationale des Échecs (World Chess Federation) — FIDE awards the Grandmaster title.