A 'Cracker' of a Century: Anuj Shrivatri Becomes India's 100th Grandmaster
Anuj Shrivatri makes history as India's 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship.
Indian chess has hit a historic century. In a moment of immense pride for the nation, Anuj Shrivatri has officially become India's 100th Grandmaster, marking a monumental milestone in the country's sporting journey. The achievement comes after a stellar performance at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship held in Ozamiz City, Philippines.
The Road to the Title
Anuj Shrivatri's journey to the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title was a testament to resilience. Despite suffering a setback with a defeat in the opening round of the tournament, Shrivatri bounced back with incredible force. He displayed dominant form by scoring seven points from his final eight games, ultimately securing the tournament victory and the direct GM title.
This victory is a double win for the player; while he has brought India to the 100-GM mark, he has also become the first-ever player from Madhya Pradesh to earn the Grandmaster title, putting his home state on the global chess map.
Viswanathan Anand's Heartfelt Praise
The legend of Indian chess and five-time world champion, Viswanathan Anand, was quick to celebrate the feat. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Anand linked the achievement to the festive spirit of Diwali, calling it a "cracker of a 100."
“Happy Diwali. A cracker of a 100. Congrats to @AnujShrivatri on getting India to this milestone. Funnily only today I was thinking December 2027 will be the 40th anniversary of my GM title and literally this manifested,” Anand posted.
A Historic Leap for Indian Chess
The chess community in India had been eagerly anticipating the arrival of the 100th Grandmaster, and Shrivatri's success has fulfilled that long-awaited dream. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) has hailed the event as a turning point for the sport in the country.
AICF President Nitin Narang expressed his pride over the achievement, describing it as a historic moment for Bharat. He noted that while reaching 100 is a massive feat, the ambition for Indian chess does not stop here.
“GRANDMASTER No. 100 FOR BHARAT! India achieves a historic milestone as Anuj Shrivatri becomes the country's 100th Grandmaster by winning the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Chess Championships 2026 in Ozamiz City, Philippines, securing the direct GM title!” Narang stated, adding, “Congratulations, Anuj! A proud moment for Indian chess. Onwards to 200 Grandmasters.”