Anuj Shrivatri Makes History, Becomes India's 100th Chess Grandmaster

India has added another landmark achievement to its chess history, with Madhya Pradesh's Anuj Shrivatri becoming the country's 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines on Sunday.

The 22-year-old International Master secured the coveted Grandmaster title with an impressive performance at the tournament held at the Asenso Global Youth Leadership and Sports Complex in Misamis Occidental.

Shrivatri finished with seven points from a possible eight, bouncing back strongly after losing his opening game. His remarkable recovery and consistency throughout the competition helped him clinch the championship and enter the record books as India's 100th Grandmaster.

The achievement marks a significant moment for Indian chess, which has witnessed a remarkable rise in the number of Grandmasters over the years. Legendary Viswanathan Anand became India's first Grandmaster in 1988, having secured his third and final norm in 1987.

India's latest milestone has also come amid a rapid increase in the number of players achieving the prestigious title. The country has added its last five Grandmasters, from the 96th to the 100th, in just five months between July and November 2026.

Before Shrivatri, Ethan Vaz, Harshvardhan GB, S Ashwath and V Rathnavel were the four players to earn the Grandmaster title.

From Anand's historic breakthrough to Shrivatri's achievement, India's journey to 100 Grandmasters reflects the growing depth of the country's chess talent and its emergence as a major force in the global chess landscape.