After a patient journey spanning over a decade, Shyam Nikhil, a chess player from Tamil Nadu, has finally achieved the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM), becoming India’s 85th grandmaster. Nikhil, now 31 years old, earned his third norm during the Dubai Police Global Chess Challenge, marking a significant milestone in his career. Nikhil’s way to grandmaster status was described by determination and confidence.

The 12-year wait is now finally ended ~

P Shyam Nikhil began studying chess when he was eight years old. At home, he had a chess board. He learned some chess skills from his dad. Since his area did not provide many chess competitions or possibilities, he began playing at the age of eleven. He began playing outside of his hometown after only playing under-11. He qualified for the Nationals and finished second after winning his first State Championship in the Under-13 division. For Shyam, that State championship sticks in his memory. Shyam started working at Indian Railways' Integral Coach Factory in 2017. They give him all of their support, including leaves, for his chess career. Despite the promise of his debut as a teenage sensation, he encountered a number of challenges along the way. 2010 saw Nikhil become a Worldwide Expert (IM) at the age of 18, and he soon attained two of the three requirements needed to be awarded the GM title.He exceeded the 2500 rating focuses required for the Grandmaster title by 2012. Nevertheless, fate had other ideas, and Nikhil had to deal with setbacks and near-misses while searching for the elusive third level. Nikhil's parents, P Santhi and K Ponnuswamy, supported him wholeheartedly the entire way, helping him navigate the highs and lows of competitive chess. Nikhil persisted in his pursuit of the grandmaster title in the face of obstacles and failures. Nikhil maintained his concentration on his objectives, striking a balance between his desires and the requirements of keeping up a competitive ranking and earning a spot on the Railways squad. His goal is to keep raising his rating and raising the calibre of his play. He looks forward to winning more games of chess with a sense of fulfilment and resolve.


P Shyam Nikhil in action at Dubai Police Masters 2024 | Photo: Aditya Sur Roy

India has seen a steady rise in the popularity of chess. R. Vaishali, Koustav Chatterjee, Pranesh M, Vignesh NR, Sayantan Das, Prraneeth Vuppala, and Aditya Samant were the seven national chess grandmasters who attained this designation last year. Vaishali was appointed the 84th Grandmaster of the nation. India spearheaded the worldwide drive led by young prodigies D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Vaishali. Gukesh defeated World Champion Ding Liren in the 2024 Candidates competition. Praggnanandhaa received much acclaim after placing second in the 2023 Chess World Cup. Prominent figures Koneru Humpy, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vidit Gujrathi have left their imprint.

"I am really happy for this title because my parents were expecting it for a long, long time. So for them, I really feel very happy, and it's successfully done. For me, I wanted to play good games, like Mikhail Tal, Garry Kasparov's games. I wanted to play just in a way to have that enjoyment in the game. That is my main motive. Now that the title is done, I can play more freely." - India's latest GM, P Shyam Nikhil, on what the Grandmaster title means to him. Shyam believes  that there is still a long way to go and that he will keep improving and play more good games in the future.