Indian chess has reached a landmark moment! Anuj Shrivatri has created history by becoming India's 100th Grandmaster (GM), achieving a milestone that chess enthusiasts across the country have eagerly awaited. Adding another first to his achievement, the young chess prodigy has also become the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh.

The 22-year-old achieved the feat after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in Ozamiz City, Philippines, bringing a memorable Diwali gift to Indian chess.

From an Early Setback to a Historic Victory

Shrivatri's journey to the milestone was anything but straightforward. The young player began the nine-round tournament with a loss, but refused to let the setback affect his momentum.

He bounced back brilliantly, collecting seven points from nine rounds to finish at the top of the standings. He finished half a point ahead of Vietnam's Nguyen Duc Hoa, while the Philippines' Nouri Alekhine secured third place with six points.

The final rounds proved crucial, with Shrivatri winning both his last two games when the title was still within reach of his competitors. His impressive performance earned him the Grandmaster title directly, making the achievement even more special.

A Journey That Began With Viswanathan Anand

India's journey in the world of Grandmaster chess began in 1988, when legendary player Viswanathan Anand became the country's first Grandmaster.

Nearly four decades later, the country has reached the remarkable milestone of 100 Grandmasters. The achievement reflects the growing popularity of chess in India and the emergence of talented players from different parts of the country. Shrivatri's achievement follows the recent additions of S Aswath as India's 98th Grandmaster and VS Rathanvel as the 99th.

The All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang celebrated the milestone, congratulating Shrivatri and expressing hope that India would soon reach 200 Grandmasters.

The Grandmaster title is the highest distinction awarded to a chess player by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Earning this prestigious title requires exceptional skill, consistency and performance against strong international opponents.

Typically, a player must secure three Grandmaster norms across a minimum of 27 games and achieve a FIDE rating of at least 2,500. A GM norm requires a tournament performance rating of at least 2,600, along with other eligibility conditions.

A New Chapter for Madhya Pradesh Chess

For Madhya Pradesh, Shrivatri's achievement is particularly significant. The state now has its first-ever Grandmaster, opening new possibilities for aspiring chess players. From losing his opening game to winning a championship and entering India's chess history, Shrivatri's journey is a reminder that a difficult beginning does not have to define the finish.

As Anuj Shrivatri makes his mark, India's next generation of chess talent has a new milestone to chase, with the road to 200 Grandmasters now looking brighter than ever!