Anuj Shrivatri became India’s 100th chess Grandmaster after winning the seventh ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines on November 8. The 22-year-old also became the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh.
Shrivatri finished the nine-round competition with seven points, securing the title after recovering from a defeat in the opening round. He won his final two games to finish ahead of Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Hoa, who placed second with 6.5 points. Filipino player Nouri Alekhine finished third with six points.
The victory fulfilled the requirements for Shrivatri to earn the Grandmaster title directly through the tournament. He had previously achieved the International Master title in 2020.
His achievement marks a milestone for Indian chess, nearly four decades after Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster in 1988. Anand went on to win five world championship titles and became a central figure in the development of Indian chess.
India’s Grandmaster numbers have increased considerably in recent years. Several players have earned the title during 2026, including V S Rathanvel, who became the country’s 99th Grandmaster.
The All India Chess Federation congratulated Shrivatri, describing the achievement as a landmark for the country’s chess community. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated him on November 10, highlighting the growing participation of young players in the sport.
Shrivatri’s victory also marks the arrival of Madhya Pradesh’s first chess Grandmaster. The state had not previously produced a player with the title.
India now has 100 Grandmasters, reflecting the expansion of its competitive chess base and the increasing number of players reaching international standards.
