Anuj Shrivatri becomes India's 100th chess Grandmaster: How MP's first GM made history

India's chess story has reached a milestone that once seemed a distant ambition. From having just one Grandmaster in 1988 to celebrating its 100th, the country has steadily built a formidable presence in the sport. The latest name in that journey is Anuj Shrivatri, a 22-year-old from Madhya Pradesh who turned a long-pursued dream into history on November 8.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shrivatri on Tuesday, calling the achievement a reflection of the country's growing chess talent and the game's rising popularity among young people. In a post on X, Modi said India's arrival at the 100-Grandmaster mark was a remarkable moment and expressed hope that it would encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

But the achievement is significant beyond the national tally. Shrivatri has also become the first chess Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh.

Anuj Shrivatri wins ASEAN Plus Championship to become India's 100th Grandmaster

Shrivatri secured the title after winning the seventh ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines. The tournament, held in Ozamiz City, concluded on November 8, with the Indian finishing on seven points from nine rounds.

His campaign did not begin smoothly. Shrivatri lost his opening game but recovered to put together a strong run, eventually finishing ahead of Vietnam's Nguyen Duc Hoa, who secured second place. ChessBase India reported that Shrivatri won the tournament after scoring seven points, while The Times of India noted that the event's special format allowed its winner to receive the Grandmaster title directly.

That route is different from the conventional qualification process, which generally requires players to secure three Grandmaster norms across a minimum of 27 games and reach a rating of 2,500. Shrivatri's victory therefore brought both the tournament title and the coveted chess distinction.

From Katni to the international chess stage: Who is Anuj Shrivatri?

Born in 2004, Shrivatri began playing chess as a child after his father introduced him to the game. His early promise developed into a serious pursuit, and he earned the International Master title in 2019, according to The Times of India. He was also reported to have become an International Master in 2020.

His progress, however, was not uninterrupted. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted tournament opportunities, and Shrivatri turned his attention towards academics. He completed a BTech degree in computer science at Lovely Professional University and later worked as a software engineer for a German company.

Why Shrivatri's decision to choose chess over a corporate career matters

The choice to return to professional chess meant giving up the security of a well-paying job. His father, Ashok Shrivatri, told The Indian Express that competing at the highest level required eight to nine hours of daily preparation, making it difficult to balance chess with a software career.

His family supported the decision, with his parents investing their savings and time in his training and tournament travels. That backing became an important part of a journey marked by missed opportunities and repeated attempts to reach the top.

India's 100 Grandmasters: From Viswanathan Anand to a new generation

India's Grandmaster journey began with Viswanathan Anand in 1988. Dibyendu Barua became the country's second Grandmaster in 1991, followed by Praveen Thipsay in 1997. The numbers grew gradually before accelerating in recent years.

India had 32 Grandmasters by 2013 and reached 50 in 2017. The country has now crossed the 100 mark, with Tamil Nadu continuing to account for the largest share.

For Madhya Pradesh, meanwhile, Shrivatri's achievement ends a long wait. His name now joins India's growing list of elite chess players — and gives a new generation of young players in his home state a Grandmaster to look up to.

(With inputs from ANI)