PM Modi Hails Anuj Shrivatri As India Reaches 100 Chess Grandmasters

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has publicly praised Anuj Shrivatri for a historic achievement in sports, noting that reaching one hundred grandmasters is an extraordinary milestone for the nation. In a statement shared on social media, the Prime Minister highlighted the dedication, hard work, and remarkable talent demonstrated by Indian players across generations.

The young competitor secured his status by winning the seventh ASEAN+ Open Chess Championship hosted in the Philippines. This victory marks a significant chapter in national sports history, arriving thirty-eight years after Viswanathan Anand first claimed the grandmaster title back in 1988.

While official international bodies currently list ninety-seven Indian grandmasters with several players awaiting formal confirmation, the country continues to hold a prominent position globally. Statistical data from leading chess tracking platforms place the nation fourth worldwide behind Russia, the United States, and Germany. Furthermore, demographic insights reveal a youthful profile within the domestic circuit, featuring multiple players under the age of twenty and twenty-five.

India has reached a historic milestone by producing one hundred chess grandmasters.

Why it matters

This development highlights the growing popularity and structural development of competitive chess among the country's youth. The emergence of young talent from various regions demonstrates expanding access and inspiration, paving the way for future generations to excel on international platforms.