Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India's 100th Chess Grandmaster

Anuj Shrivatri Achieves Grandmaster Title

On Sunday, Anuj Shrivatri made history by becoming India's 100th Grandmaster, a feat celebrated by five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand, who referred to it as a "cracker of a 100." Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Shrivatri clinched this prestigious title by winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship. He achieved this milestone after scoring seven points in his last eight matches, despite an initial loss in the first round. His remarkable performance not only secured him the tournament victory but also marked a significant achievement for both Indian chess and his home state, as noted by ChessBase India.

Community Celebrates the Achievement

In response to Shrivatri's accomplishment, Anand shared his excitement on X, stating, "Happy Diwali. A cracker of a 100. Congrats to @AnujShrivatri on getting India to this milestone. Interestingly, I was just thinking that December 2027 will mark the 40th anniversary of my GM title, and this moment feels like a manifestation of that thought." This achievement is particularly noteworthy as chess fans in India have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the country's 100th Grandmaster, while Madhya Pradesh has been waiting for its first.

Official Recognition from Chess Authorities

Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation (AICF), also extended his congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri, calling his achievement a historic milestone and a source of pride for Indian chess. He expressed optimism for the future, hoping that India would soon reach the milestone of 200 Grandmasters. In a post on X, he stated, "GRANDMASTER No. 100 FOR BHARAT! India achieves a historic milestone as Anuj Shrivatri becomes the country's 100th Grandmaster by winning the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships 2026 in Ozamiz City, Philippines, securing the direct GM title! Congratulations, Anuj! A proud moment for Indian chess. Onwards to 200 Grandmasters!"