Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India's 100th Chess Grandmaster: Historic Milestone at ASEAN Plus Championship

Why in News

Anuj Shrivatri, a 22-year-old chess player from Madhya Pradesh, became India's 100th chess Grandmaster on November 8, 2026. He achieved this milestone by winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship held in Ozamiz City, Philippines. After losing the first round, Anuj scored an impressive 7 points from 8 games, winning his last two matches to clinch the tournament and cross the FIDE Grandmaster rating norm. He is also the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh. The achievement comes 38 years after Viswanathan Anand became India's first Grandmaster in 1988.

Background

India has emerged as a chess superpower over the past three decades. From a single Grandmaster in 1988 (Viswanathan Anand), India now boasts 100 Grandmasters — placing it among the world's top chess nations by GM count, alongside Russia, the USA, and Germany. The country's chess resurgence accelerated post-2000, particularly after Anand became World Chess Champion (2000, 2007–2013).

India's Chess Journey

• 1988 — Viswanathan Anand becomes India's first and the world's 15th Grandmaster.
• 2000–2013 — Anand's World Championship era; inspires a generation of Indian chess players.
• 2007 — FIDE moves its headquarters; India's AICF grows in stature.
• 2024 — India wins Chess Olympiad gold (both Open and Women's teams) in Budapest — a historic double.
• Nov 8, 2026 — Anuj Shrivatri becomes India's 100th GM; first from MP.

Key Facts

What is a Chess Grandmaster?

A Grandmaster (GM) is the highest title awarded by FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs / World Chess Federation) to chess players, below only the title of World Champion. Requirements:

• Achieve a FIDE Elo rating of 2500 or above.
• Score three GM norms (performance ratings of 2600+ against a sufficient number of titled players in FIDE-rated tournaments).
• The title is permanent (once awarded, it is not revoked even if rating drops).

Institutional Framework

• FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) — World Chess Federation; headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland; awards GM titles; organises World Chess Championships and Chess Olympiad. FIDE president: Arkady Dvorkovich (Russia).
• AICF (All India Chess Federation) — India's national chess body; member of FIDE; organises national championships, selects Olympic teams. AICF president: Nitin Narang.
• Indian Olympic Association (IOA) — chess is not an Olympic sport; AICF is affiliated with Asian Chess Federation and FIDE directly.
• SAI (Sports Authority of India) — provides TARGET OLYMPIC PODIUM (TOPS) support to elite chess players including national coaching camps.

India's Chess Statistics (2026)

• Total Grandmasters: 100
• First GM: Viswanathan Anand (1988); India's 5-time World Chess Champion (2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012).
• India topped the Chess Olympiad 2024 (Budapest) — won both Open and Women's gold medals.
• Notable Indian GMs: Anand, Koneru Humpy (Women's World Rapid Champion), Praggnanandhaa R., Nihal Sarin, Gukesh D. (World Chess Champion 2024).
• India's current World Chess Champion: Gukesh D. (became World Champion at 18 in December 2024 — youngest ever).

Social Dimensions

India's chess growth reflects wider socio-economic trends: internet access enabling online training (Chess.com, Lichess), affordable chess academies, and government support via SAI scholarships. MP's first GM is significant for chess geography — most Indian GMs are from Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Anuj Shrivatri's achievement may catalyse chess development in central India.

Exam Angle

For SSC/Railways/Banking GK: Static facts — Viswanathan Anand = India's first GM (1988); India's 100th GM = Anuj Shrivatri; FIDE HQ = Lausanne, Switzerland; Chess Olympiad 2024 = Budapest; Gukesh D. = youngest World Chess Champion (December 2024).

Possible Prelims MCQs

1. Q. Who became India's 100th chess Grandmaster in November 2026?
   (a) Nihal Sarin   (b) Praggnanandhaa   (c) Anuj Shrivatri   (d) Arjun Erigaisi
   Ans: (c)
2. Q. Anuj Shrivatri became the first chess Grandmaster from which state?
   (a) Uttar Pradesh   (b) Chhattisgarh   (c) Rajasthan   (d) Madhya Pradesh
   Ans: (d)
3. Q. FIDE is headquartered in:
   (a) Paris   (b) Geneva   (c) Lausanne   (d) Vienna
   Ans: (c)
4. Q. The minimum FIDE Elo rating required for the Grandmaster title is:
   (a) 2200   (b) 2400   (c) 2500   (d) 2700
   Ans: (c)
5. Q. Who became India's first Chess Grandmaster?
   (a) Koneru Humpy   (b) Dibyendu Barua   (c) Viswanathan Anand   (d) Pravin Thipsay
   Ans: (c) — Viswanathan Anand, 1988.

Interview Questions

1. India has 100 Grandmasters and a reigning World Chess Champion. What policy interventions drove this transformation?
2. Chess is not in the Olympics but is growing globally. Should chess be included? What are the arguments for and against?
3. Compare India's chess development model (private academies, online training) with China's state-sponsored model.
4. Gukesh became World Champion at 18. What does this say about India's youth talent pipeline in cognitive sports?
5. AICF is affiliated with FIDE, not the IOA. How does this affect funding and government support for chess players?

FAQ

Who is India's first Grandmaster?

Viswanathan Anand — became India's (and Asia's) first Chess Grandmaster in 1988; went on to become 5-time World Chess Champion.

Who is India's 100th Grandmaster?

Anuj Shrivatri, 22, from Madhya Pradesh — earned the title by winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in Ozamiz City, Philippines on November 8, 2026.

What is the ASEAN Plus Chess Championship?

An international FIDE-rated chess tournament held in Southeast Asia, open to players from ASEAN countries and invited international participants. The 7th edition was held in Ozamiz City, Philippines.

Further Reading

• FIDE — World Chess Federation
• All India Chess Federation (AICF)