PM Modi Congratulates Anuj Shrivatri, India’s 100th Grandmaster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Anuj Shrivatri after the Madhya Pradesh player became India’s 100th chess Grandmaster. Shrivatri reached the milestone after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in Sinacaban, Philippines, on Sunday.

Modi marked the achievement in a post on X, describing India’s arrival at 100 Grandmasters as an exceptional moment for the country. The Prime Minister said the landmark reflected the talent, dedication and hard work of Indian chess players, as well as the sport’s growing popularity among young people.

“India has hit a century in chess! Exceptional isn’t it? India is now home to a hundred chess Grandmasters! Congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster! What a wonderful achievement it is,” Modi said.

A landmark 100th Grandmaster for India

Shrivatri’s title places him at a significant point in the history of Indian chess. India’s first Grandmaster was Viswanathan Anand, who achieved the distinction in 1988. The country has since built its Grandmaster count to 100, with Shrivatri becoming the player to bring up that landmark.

The result in Sinacaban was the decisive achievement in Shrivatri’s path to the title. By winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship, he secured his place as India’s 100th Grandmaster and added another major moment to the country’s chess record.

Modi said the milestone was not only a recognition of the players who have earned Grandmaster titles, but also an encouragement for the next generation. “May this achievement inspire many more youngsters to take up chess and pursue excellence,” he said.

The number has grown quickly in recent months. India received its previous five Grandmasters between July and November this year. Ethan Vaz, Harshvardhan GB, S Ashwath and V Rathnavel were among the players to receive their Grandmaster titles before Shrivatri.

That recent run underlines the continued expansion of India’s presence in elite chess. The 100-Grandmaster mark is a national landmark, while Shrivatri’s championship win provides the individual result behind the milestone.

Indian chess enters another notable period

Shrivatri’s achievement comes while India also holds the world championship through D Gukesh, the reigning world champion. Gukesh is set to defend his crown later this month, giving Indian chess another major event on the calendar shortly after the country reached its Grandmaster century.

The two developments highlight the breadth of the current Indian chess landscape as presented by the latest milestones: a new Grandmaster title holder at the 100-player mark and a reigning world champion preparing for a title defence. Anand’s breakthrough in 1988 began India’s Grandmaster history, and Shrivatri’s success in the Philippines now represents the latest landmark in that progression.

For Shrivatri, the ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship victory will stand as the result that delivered his Grandmaster title. For India, it is the achievement that completed a century of Grandmasters, drawing recognition from the Prime Minister and adding further significance to a prominent period for the sport in the country.