Mayank Chakraborty Becomes India's 94th Grandmaster, First from North-East

A Historic Achievement for Mayank Chakraborty

Mayank Chakraborty, a gifted young chess player, has reached a significant milestone in his career by earning his third and final Grandmaster norm. This accomplishment makes him the 94th Grandmaster in India and the first from the North-East region to achieve this prestigious title.

At just 17 years old and hailing from Guwahati, Assam, Chakraborty previously became an International Master in 2024. He secured his Grandmaster norm with a round to spare during the eighth round of the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Chess Talents Tournament, where he triumphed over Swedish International Master Philip Lindgren.

Chakraborty showcased exceptional skill in his match against Lindgren, amassing the necessary 6.5 points to clinch his final Grandmaster norm. In the concluding round, he played an exhilarating draw against English International Master Jonah B Willow, marking a memorable highlight in his chess journey.

In addition to achieving his Grandmaster title, Chakraborty surpassed the crucial 2500 Elo rating threshold, confirming his status as a Grandmaster according to FIDE regulations. His performance included six wins, two draws, and one loss, culminating in a total of seven points out of nine, which also earned him the tournament championship with a half-point advantage over Norway's Aksel Bu Kvaloy, who received a walkover in the last round.

Chakraborty had previously become an International Master in 2024 and has consistently been among the top competitors in his age group. He was once ranked as India and Asia's No.1 in the Under-11 category and had a breakout year in 2021, competing in Europe and significantly improving his Elo rating from the 1800s to nearly 2200, while also ranking sixth globally for boys born in 2009 or later.

His remarkable talent has also earned him accolades such as the Under-9 national silver medal and the Under-11 national gold medal, along with a silver medal in the Under-10 category at the Asian Youth Chess Championship held in Sri Lanka.

Chakraborty's ascent in the chess world has been supported by his family, particularly his mother, a doctor, who has been a strong source of encouragement, while his father made sacrifices by leaving his job to accompany him to various tournaments.