Indian chess celebrated a massive milestone on November 8, 2026. This was the date Anuj Shrivatri from the state of Madhya Pradesh, India, became India’s 100th chess Grandmaster. Anuj’s winning run came to a fitting end with the title of the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship.
His win was doubly significant for the game. Not only is he the first player from his state to earn the title, he fulfilled the nation’s longing for its India 100th Grandmaster that lasted for close to 40 years.
How Did Anuj Shrivatri Become India’s 100th Grandmaster?
Anuj was the fourth seed in the ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship with a rating of 2450. But his tournament didn’t start off the way he wanted. He lost his first game against Filipino player Arca Karlo.
Anuj bounced back and had a good performance in the rest of the rounds. He won the tournament with seven points in the nine-round competition, ahead of Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Hoa with 6.5 points.
His wins in the last two rounds were particularly significant. The final result won the championship and gave him the Grandmaster title in the special title awarding format of the event.
What Was Special About the ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship?
The 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship was not a normal event for those who were seeking Grandmaster norms. The rules of its allowed the winner to get the Grandmaster title directly if the event fulfilled certain FIDE conditions.
This provided Anuj with a new path to the title. In the traditional system, a player normally has to achieve a FIDE rating of 2500 and acquire three Grandmaster norms in at least 27 games.
Anuj was not up to the standard of 2500. So his win in the Philippines was the final stroke that clinched his title. The outcome of the tournament was sufficient under the special format approved for the tournament.
Anuj Shrivatri Grandmaster: His Journey Before the Record
Anuj’s success didn’t come easily. He began playing chess at the age of seven and honed his skills through practice, coaching and tournament play.
He earned the International Master title before taking the next step towards becoming a Grandmaster. The COVID-19 period disrupted his progress as there were fewer opportunities to play tournaments. He also had a time of concentrating on his studies.
Anuj has done his BTech in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from Lovely Professional University. He later got a software engineering position with a German company.
But it was hard to prepare for chess and work full-time. He eventually quit his job to concentrate on chess. His father Ashok Shrivatri agreed to it and the family invested their time and money in his development.
Why Is He the Madhya Pradesh First Chess Grandmaster?
Anuj’s win was significant not just for the national record. Before his achievement, Madhya Pradesh had not produced a Grandmaster.
His triumph brought the state its first representative to the highest international chess awards. It also highlighted players who develop their skills outside the traditional chess centres.
Anuj’s success was not just historic, but personal. He had been working towards the title for years and winning the championship on Diwali was even more special for his family and supporters.
Indian Chess Grandmasters Milestone: From 1 to 100
Viswanathan Anand is the first Grandmaster of India and the journey to 100 started with him.
The number slowly increased over many years. However, in recent years, the number of new Grandmasters in Indian chess has increased at a much faster rate. Anuj’s milestone was the 100th player in November 2026.
| Milestone | Player |
| India’s first Grandmaster | Viswanathan Anand |
| India’s 99th Grandmaster | V. S. Rathanvel |
| India’s 100th Grandmaster | Anuj Shrivatri |
The achievement is an indicator of the development of Indian chess. There are more players playing internationally, gaining experience and opportunities to earn higher titles.
Read More : How Did Pakistan Beat England in 4th PAK vs ENG ODI?
What Is Next for Anuj Shrivatri?
Earning the title of Grandmaster is a great honor, but it is not the end of a chess career. Anuj has talked about his desire to cross 2600 and win more tournaments.
His next hurdle will be to face tougher international competition and make his mark as one of the top players. The lessons learned from the ASEAN Plus championship may be a good stepping stone to that objective.
For readers who follow major chess stories, there is more sporting coverage available via Cricaza. The Anuj Shrivatri Grandmaster achievement is a testament to the power of perseverance and opportunity in a player’s career.
Final Thoughts
The achievement of Anuj Shrivatri to become India’s 100th Grandmaster is a great milestone in the history of Indian chess. His recovery from an opening-round loss, his choice to break away from a software career and his triumph in the Philippines are all part of the tale.
He has also become the first Grandmaster of Madhya Pradesh. This is yet another feather in the cap of the Indian chess history and a motivation for the young players to take the game seriously.
