India Celebrates Anuj Shrivatri as Its 100th Chess Grandmaster

A Historic Achievement for Indian Chess

On November 10, 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 highlighted that this achievement showcases the exceptional talent of young Indian chess players and expressed optimism that it would lead to a new era of excellence in the sport.

He stated, "Congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th chess Grandmaster. Your 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."

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recognized Shrivatri's accomplishment.

In his X post, Modi 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 reflects 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.

He concluded with, "May this achievement inspire many more youngsters to take up chess and pursue excellence."

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

His outstanding performance not only won him the tournament but also marked a significant milestone for Indian chess and Madhya Pradesh, as reported by ChessBase India.

Shrivatri's accomplishment is particularly noteworthy, as chess enthusiasts in India had been eagerly anticipating the country's 100th Grandmaster, while Madhya Pradesh awaited its first player to earn this prestigious title.