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India's Chess Grandmaster Count Hits 100 Milestone
9 Nov
Summary
- Anuj Shrivatri achieved India's 100th Grandmaster title.
- India's grandmaster count rose from 30 to 100 in 15 years.
- Viswanathan Anand established an academy supporting young talents.
India's chess landscape has reached a historic milestone with Anuj Shrivatri becoming the country's 100th Grandmaster. This achievement, celebrated on Sunday after his win at the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship, underscores India's rapidly growing prowess in the sport. Shrivatri hails from Madhya Pradesh, adding to the nation's distinguished list of chess talents.
Viswanathan Anand, India's first Grandmaster, expressed his satisfaction with the country's progress, noting the significant increase from just 30 Grandmasters fifteen years prior. His own journey from a Soviet-dominated chess era to becoming a five-time world champion has inspired generations.
Further contributing to this surge, Anand established the WACA academy during the pandemic. This institution provides crucial training and support to India's most promising chess players, including the current world champion, Gukesh. The growth trajectory is remarkable, with nearly a decade taken for the count to reach three, and a substantial acceleration seen since 2020.
