Anuj Shrivatri Claims India’s 100th GM Title with Victory in Philippines

International Master Anuj Shrivatri secured India’s 100th Grand Master title on Sunday by claiming victory at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship held in the Philippines. The 22-year-old player from Madhya Pradesh now joins an elite group of Indian chess stars, marking a significant milestone in the country’s rapidly growing chess landscape.

A Historic Achievement for Madhya Pradesh

Shrivatri’s accomplishment carries additional significance as he becomes the first-ever chess player from Madhya Pradesh to complete the required Grand Master norms. His journey to the top has been shaped by a blend of academic discipline and competitive drive. He holds a B.Tech degree in Computer Science from Lovely Professional University in Punjab, demonstrating that excellence in chess can coexist with rigorous academic pursuits.

India’s Growing GM Lineup

The achievement comes shortly after V.S. Rathnavel was confirmed as India’s 99th Grand Master earlier in the month. Rathnavel had reached the crucial 2500 Elo rating benchmark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026, though his path to the title involved a lengthy wait. He had successfully completed all three Grand Master norms back in 2022 but had to wait nearly four years for FIDE to confirm his status after finally crossing the required rating threshold.

Shrivatri’s rapid ascent to the 100th GM mark reflects India’s expanding presence on the global chess stage, with more players than ever before achieving the highest title awarded by FIDE.

Tournament Highlight

• Anuj Shrivatri emerged as champion of the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship
• The tournament took place in the Philippines
• He became India’s 100th Grand Master on Sunday
• The 22-year-old is the first GM from Madhya Pradesh
• He holds a B.Tech in Computer Science from Lovely Professional University

Source

This report is based on information published by Sportstar (The Hindu) — Chess.

Official source: https://sportstar.thehindu.com/chess/anuj-shrivatri-india-100th-grand-master-madhya-pradesh-first-gm-norms/article71681041.ece