On November 8, 2026, Indian chess marked an unforgettable chapter: 22-year-old Anuj Shrivatri from Madhya Pradesh became the country’s 100th chess Grandmaster after clinching victory in the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Championship held in Ozamiz City, Philippines. Not only did Anuj achieve rare personal glory, but he also became the first grandmaster to emerge from his state — a landmark both personally and nationally.
In this pivotal event, Anuj began with a setback, losing his first round. Undeterred, he mounted a strong comeback over the next eight rounds, accruing six wins. He finished with a total of seven points, half a point ahead of Vietnam’s Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa, with local favorite Nouri Alekhine in third.
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## A Leap Through a Different Route
Anuj’s path to the Grandmaster (GM) title this time took a less conventional but no less legitimate route. He secured the title directly by winning the ASEAN Plus tournament, which offered a special format permitting a **direct GM title** for the winner. This format bypassed the standard requirement of achieving three GM norms over 27 classical games and surpassing a FIDE Elo rating of 2500.
At the time of the event, Anuj was rated 2450 and had a peak Elo rating of 2483 in June. His performance rating in this tournament was 2586—an impressive figure but still shy of the 2600 required for a typical GM norm under usual rules. Despite these numbers, the special provision awarded him the full GM title.
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## Significance of the 100 Mark
Indian chess first tasted GM success in 1987–88 when Viswanathan Anand became the country’s inaugural Grandmaster after winning the Shakti Finance International Tournament in Coimbatore. Over nearly four decades, that single GM addition evolved into a hundred — a reflection of the sport’s rapid development in India.
The pace of growth has notably accelerated in recent years. As of 15 years ago, India had just 30 Grandmasters. By the 2022 Olympiad, the number had reached 75, and now, today, it sits at 100.
Tamil Nadu still leads in the number of GMs, producing nearly 38-39 of them to date. Maharashtra has also contributed more than 10. But Anuj’s achievement opens a new chapter for Madhya Pradesh — moving from zero to one in the GM tally.
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## Reactions from Icons and the Community
Viswanathan Anand, India’s first Grandmaster and five-time world champion, reacted with pride. He called the occasion “a remarkable milestone, the pace especially says a lot.” Anand recalled that 15 years ago there were only 30 GMs, and estimated that by the 2022 Olympiad many had hoped for 75 — but the leap to 100 in just four years exceeded expectations. He emphasized that this moment allows all to pause and appreciate the progress.
Also applauded in public forums was Anuj’s victory. The All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang felicitated him and expressed hope, writing: “Onwards to 200 Grandmasters!”
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## Milestones and Firsts
– Anuj Shrivatri became the **100th GM for India** and the **first** from Madhya Pradesh.
– He was born in 2004. He had earned his International Master (IM) title in 2019.
– His highest rating so far had been 2483 in June 2026.
– While he lost his opening game of the tournament, he won six of his next eight, finishing with 7/9 points.
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## Broader Reflections on Indian Chess
Anuj’s rise reflects a consolidation of talent across India. From 2010 to now, about 80 of the 100 GMs have emerged, underlining a strong modern generation rather than past glories.
Women have also made strides in Indian chess. Koneru Humpy became India’s first female Grandmaster at age 15 more than two decades ago. Harika Dronavalli, R. Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh have since added to that tally, bringing the total number of female GMs to four, each breaking barriers along the way.
Anand’s role in Indian chess has evolved: from pioneer player to mentor, organizer, and coach. His academy — WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) — now trains young talents including reigning world champion D Gukesh.
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## What This Means Going Forward
Anuj’s ascent signals India’s improving chess infrastructure: more tournaments, better coaching, increased access to global competition, and broader geographical representation among GM talent.
While financial challenges remain — travel, coaching, and norm-tournaments still cost time and resources — the special tournament formats and growing recognition point to more inclusive paths for future hopefuls.
Now that the 100 mark has been breached, targets will expand. For many in the chess community, the next 100 Grandmasters is no longer a distant dream but a possible goal in sight.
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