Anuj Shrivatri Is India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster
Twenty-two-year-old Anuj Shrivatri has become India's 100th chess Grandmaster after winning a thrilling tournament in the Philippines.
Big cheers echoed across the sporting world as twenty-two-year-old Anuj Shrivatri achieved an incredible dream. On 8 November 2026, he officially became India’s 100th chess Grandmaster after winning a major tournament held in Ozamiz City, Philippines.
This huge milestone happened at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship, which is also called the Governor Henry S. Oaminal Cup. By lifting the winner’s trophy, the young champion etched his name into the nation’s history books and gave chess lovers across the country a reason to celebrate.
What happened?
The journey at the tournament was full of drama right from the opening day. In the very first round, Anuj suffered an unexpected defeat against a local player named Arca Karlo. Starting a big event with a loss can make any player feel discouraged, but Anuj did not lose heart. He stayed calm and bounced back with great courage, winning six of his remaining eight matches.
By the time the final moves were played, Anuj had scored an outstanding 7 points out of 9. He finished ahead of Vietnam’s Grandmaster Nguyen Duc Hoa by just half a point. This exciting finish earned Anuj the championship title, a top prize of $3,000, and a direct Grandmaster title under the official rules of the International Chess Federation, which is widely known as FIDE.
Anuj hails from the town of Katni and lives in Bhopal, making him the very first chess player from Madhya Pradesh to become a Grandmaster. He had earlier earned the title of International Master in 2020. Before dedicating his energy fully to his Grandmaster dream, Anuj spent time balancing his competitive chess practice with work as a software engineer.
Following his triumph, All India Chess Federation president Nitin Narang praised the youngster online, calling the moment Grandmaster number 100 for Bharat. With this record-breaking feat, India has joined a super-elite group of chess powerhouse countries that have produced at least 100 Grandmasters, alongside Russia, the United States, Ukraine, and Germany.
Why does it matter to you?
Have you ever fallen behind in a classroom quiz, dropped an easy catch in cricket, or made a mistake on your test? Anuj’s journey reminds us that a bad beginning never decides how your story ends. Instead of giving up after losing in round one, he worked even harder and reached the very top of the podium.
His story also shows that you can successfully follow more than one interest in life. Anuj worked as a software engineer while still polishing his chess tactics. Whether you love playing an instrument, drawing cartoons, or solving tricky puzzles, steady practice and strong determination will always help you cross the finish line.
Words to know
- Grandmaster: the highest official title that a chess player can earn, awarded for life by the world chess governing body.
- International Master: an advanced chess title that skilled players usually achieve before earning the Grandmaster title.
- FIDE: the short name for the International Chess Federation, the global organisation that looks after chess rules and world events.
- Software engineer: a professional who creates, tests, and builds computer software and programmes.
Did you know?
India welcomed its very first chess Grandmaster thirty-eight years ago in 1988, when the legendary champion Viswanathan Anand won the title. Now, India has officially reached a historic century of Grandmasters!
Think about it
When you face an unexpected setback during a game or study session, what is one positive habit that helps you reset your mind? How can you balance your daily homework with your favourite hobby?
Quick quiz
Who was India’s very first chess Grandmaster in 1988?
- Viswanathan Anand
- Anuj Shrivatri
- Arca Karlo
See the answer
Viswanathan Anand
Sources
This story was prepared by the Kids Gazette news desk with the help of AI research and writing tools, using the sources listed above.
