India Celebrates Milestone with 100th Chess Grandmaster Anuj Shrivatri

Amit Shah and PM Modi Honor Chess Achievement

On Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah extended his congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri for becoming India's 100th chess Grandmaster, calling this accomplishment a significant milestone that enhances the nation's pride. In a post on X, Shah emphasized that this achievement showcases the talent of young Indian chess players and expressed optimism that it would lead to a new era of excellence in the sport.

Shah stated, "Congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India's 100th chess Grandmaster. This historic milestone elevates India to a whole new height of pride. This century is a manifestation of the incisive brilliance of our young players, who have propelled India to the glory of hosting 100 crowns in chess. May this feat be a stepping stone to a new era of excellence."

Prime Minister Modi's Praise

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recognized Shrivatri's achievement. In a post on X, he remarked, "India has hit a century in chess! Exceptional isn’t it? India is now home to a hundred chess Grandmasters! Congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster! What a wonderful achievement it is."

He further noted that this milestone highlights the immense talent and commitment of Indian chess players, as well as the increasing popularity of the game among the youth. Modi added, "India reaching 100 Grandmasters is a remarkable milestone that reflects the immense talent, dedication, and hard work of our players as well as the growing popularity of chess among our youth. It is particularly heartening to see young chess talents emerging from different parts of the country and making their mark on the global stage."

The Prime Minister expressed hope that this achievement would motivate more young people to engage with chess and strive for excellence, stating, "May this achievement inspire many more youngsters to take up chess and pursue excellence."

Details of the Achievement

Anuj Shrivatri, hailing from Madhya Pradesh, clinched the title of India's 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship on Sunday. He became the first Grandmaster from his state, achieving this honor by scoring seven points in his last eight games, despite an initial defeat in the opening round.

His outstanding performance not only secured him the tournament victory but also marked a significant milestone for Indian chess and Madhya Pradesh, as noted by ChessBase India. Shrivatri’s accomplishment is particularly noteworthy, as chess enthusiasts in India had been eagerly anticipating the emergence of the country's 100th Grandmaster, while Madhya Pradesh awaited its first player to earn this prestigious title.