New Delhi, November 9, 2026: Indian chess achieved a historic milestone as 22-year-old Anuj Shrivatri became the country’s 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines on Sunday, November 8.
The victory also made Shrivatri the first player from Madhya Pradesh to earn the prestigious Grandmaster title.
His achievement has attracted particular attention because he previously left a promising software engineering career with a German company to pursue professional chess.
Anuj Shrivatri Creates History in Philippines
Shrivatri secured the championship title at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship, held in Ozamiz City, Philippines.
Despite losing his opening match, the young Indian player made an impressive comeback, scoring seven points from his remaining eight games.
He finished the nine-round tournament with 7 points out of 9, securing first place ahead of several international competitors.
His performance earned him the Grandmaster title through the tournament’s direct-title qualification provision, subject to the applicable FIDE confirmation process.
Anuj Shrivatri Wins Championship After Opening-Round Defeat
Shrivatri’s tournament began with a setback when he lost his first game.
However, he recovered strongly, displaying consistency and determination throughout the remaining rounds.
He won his final two games when the championship and Grandmaster qualification were at stake.
His final score of 7/9 was half a point higher than that of Vietnamese Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa.
ASEAN Plus Chess Championship Final Standings
| Position | Player | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anuj Shrivatri | India | 7 |
| 2 | Nguyen Duc Hoa | Vietnam | 6.5 |
| 3 | Nouri Alekhine | Philippines | 6 |
| 4 | Viani Antonio Dcunha | India | 6 |
| 5 | Nguyen Quoc Hy | Vietnam | 6 |
Shrivatri’s victory secured both the tournament championship and India’s landmark 100th Grandmaster milestone.
From Software Engineer to Chess Grandmaster
One of the most remarkable aspects of Shrivatri’s journey is his decision to leave a stable professional career.
According to The Indian Express, Anuj completed his Bachelor of Technology degree at Lovely Professional University, specialising in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
After graduation, he secured a position as a software engineer with a German company.
He initially worked from Madhya Pradesh and subsequently received an opportunity to work at the company’s German office.
However, he decided to leave the job and dedicate himself to competitive chess.
His family supported the decision despite the financial uncertainty associated with pursuing a career in professional sports.
Family Sacrifices Helped Anuj Achieve His Dream
Anuj’s father, Ashok Shrivatri, played an important role in supporting his chess career.
Both his parents work as teachers and invested considerable resources in his training and participation in international tournaments.
According to the family’s account, a significant portion of their savings was regularly spent on coaching, travel and tournament expenses.
His father also took salary reductions on several occasions to accompany Anuj to competitions during his childhood.
The family’s commitment helped him continue competing even when professional chess presented financial challenges.
Anuj Started Playing Chess at Age Seven
Hailing from Katni in Madhya Pradesh, Shrivatri began playing chess in 2011 when he was approximately seven years old.
His early coach, VK Tiwari, helped develop his understanding of the game.
He later received guidance from several mentors, including chess coach Niklesh Jain.
Shrivatri was recognised for his competitive attitude and enthusiasm for studying chess.
His dedication eventually helped him progress through national and international competitions.
Became International Master in 2020
Shrivatri achieved the International Master title in 2020.
At the time, he was among Madhya Pradesh’s most promising young chess players.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international tournaments and slowed his progress towards the Grandmaster title.
He subsequently concentrated on his education and professional responsibilities before returning to chess more seriously.
His victory in the Philippines represents the culmination of several years of effort.
Madhya Pradesh Gets Its First Chess Grandmaster
Shrivatri’s achievement is historic not only for India but also for Madhya Pradesh.
Before his victory, the state had not produced a chess Grandmaster.
His success marks an important development for the state’s chess community and could encourage more young players to pursue competitive chess.
The achievement has been celebrated by coaches, chess organisations and supporters across the state.
India Reaches 100 Grandmasters After 38 Years
India’s first chess Grandmaster was Viswanathan Anand, who achieved the title in 1988.
Nearly four decades later, the country has reached the landmark figure of 100 Grandmasters.
India’s rise in international chess has accelerated significantly in recent years, with young players winning major tournaments and achieving international titles.
The country’s growing chess infrastructure, training opportunities and international exposure have contributed to this progress.
Viswanathan Anand Celebrates India’s Achievement
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand welcomed India’s milestone.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, Anand reflected on the rapid growth in the number of Indian Grandmasters.
He noted that India had approximately 30 Grandmasters around 15 years earlier and reached 75 around the time of the 2022 Chess Olympiad.
The increase to 100 in 2026 demonstrates the expansion of India’s competitive chess talent.
AICF President Congratulates Anuj Shrivatri
All India Chess Federation president Nitin Narang congratulated Shrivatri on the achievement.
He highlighted the importance of India reaching the 100-Grandmaster milestone and praised the young player’s victory in the Philippines.
Narang also expressed hope that India would continue developing more Grandmasters in the coming years.
The announcement came on November 8, coinciding with Diwali celebrations in India.
What Is the Chess Grandmaster Title?
Grandmaster is the highest standard chess title awarded by the International Chess Federation, commonly known as FIDE.
Under the conventional qualification route, players generally need three Grandmaster norms and must reach a FIDE rating of at least 2,500.
However, qualifying performances at certain designated international competitions can provide direct-title eligibility under FIDE regulations.
Shrivatri’s championship victory was reported as earning him the title through such a direct qualification route.
Anuj Shrivatri Inspires India’s Next Generation
Shrivatri’s journey demonstrates the commitment required to succeed at the highest levels of competitive chess.
From beginning the game at seven years old to becoming an International Master and eventually India’s 100th Grandmaster, his career reflects years of training, competition and personal sacrifice.
His decision to leave software engineering has also drawn attention to the challenges athletes face when pursuing professional careers.
With India reaching 100 Grandmasters, the milestone represents another chapter in the country’s growing international chess presence.
Sources: ChessBase India, November 8, 2026; The Indian Express, November 9, 2026; Hindustan Times; All India Chess Federation
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