Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India's 100th Chess Grandmaster
A Historic Achievement in Indian Chess
File image of Anuj Shrivatri(Photo: @ChessbaseIndia/X)
New Delhi, Nov 10: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri for becoming the 100th chess Grandmaster from India, calling this achievement a significant milestone that showcases the nation's growing talent and the increasing popularity of chess among the youth.
In a post on X, PM Modi expressed his excitement, stating, "India has reached a century in chess! Isn't that exceptional? We now have a hundred chess Grandmasters in our country!"
The Prime Minister emphasized that Shrivatri's accomplishment is a testament to the dedication, talent, and hard work of Indian chess players.
He also expressed joy over the emergence of young chess talents from various regions of India, making their presence felt on the international stage, and expressed hope that this milestone would motivate more young people to engage in the sport.
“Congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster! This is a remarkable achievement. The milestone of reaching 100 Grandmasters reflects the immense talent, dedication, and hard work of our players, as well as the growing interest in chess among our youth.
It is particularly encouraging to see young chess talents from different parts of the country making their mark globally. May this achievement inspire many more youngsters to take up chess and strive for excellence,” PM Modi added.
Shrivatri, aged 22 and hailing from Madhya Pradesh, earned the Grandmaster title by winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines on November 8. He is also the first player from Madhya Pradesh to achieve this prestigious title.
In the tournament held in Ozamiz City, he scored seven points out of nine rounds, finishing half a point ahead of Vietnam's Nguyen Duc Hoa.
After an initial loss in his first game, Shrivatri made a remarkable comeback, securing six victories and two draws in the subsequent eight rounds. His final round win against Australia's James Morris clinched both the tournament title and the Grandmaster milestone.