CM Rekha Gupta Hails India's 100th Chess Grandmaster
Synopsis
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta celebrated India reaching 100 Chess Grandmasters as Anuj Shrivatri earned the title, capping a journey that began with Viswanathan Anand's historic first GM title in 1988.
Key Takeaways
Anuj Shrivatri has become India's 100th Chess Grandmaster , marking a historic century for the country.
Delhi CM Rekha Gupta congratulated Shrivatri on 10 November 2026 via X.
India's first Grandmaster was Viswanathan Anand , who earned the title in 1988 .
India hosted the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022 , accelerating grassroots chess growth.
The All India Chess Federation governs chess development nationally and has overseen this four-decade expansion.
India is now among the world's leading chess nations by number of Grandmasters.
A century of Grandmasters. That is the milestone India crossed when Anuj Shrivatri earned the coveted title, completing a journey that began in 1988 with a single pioneer — and has since grown into one of the most remarkable stories in global chess. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta marked the occasion on Tuesday, 10 November 2026, with a congratulatory post on X celebrating the landmark achievement.
Writing on X, the Chief Minister said: 'A historic century for Indian chess as the nation reaches 100 Grandmasters! Heartiest congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India's 100th Chess Grandmaster. From 64 squares to 100 Grandmasters, this milestone reflects decades of dedication, exceptional talent and the growing confidence of a young India ready to take on the world.'
From Anand's Lone Title to a Nation of Grandmasters
It started with one man. When Viswanathan Anand became India's first Grandmaster in 1988, the achievement was extraordinary precisely because it stood alone. For years, Anand was chess in India — a solitary summit others could only aspire to. What followed over the next four decades was a quiet, compounding revolution. State academies, school-level tournaments, and growing access to online training transformed chess from an elite pursuit into a national obsession. By the time India hosted the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022, the country had already emerged as a world-force on the board. That event supercharged grassroots interest further, funnelling young talent into competitive pathways at an unprecedented rate. The All India Chess Federation, as the national governing body, has overseen this expansion — from a single title-holder to the hundredth in just under four decades.What Shrivatri's Title Signals for Indian Chess
The number 100 is not just symbolic. It places India in an elite bracket of chess nations, confirming a depth of talent that stretches far beyond any single prodigy. Anuj Shrivatri's elevation to Grandmaster status is both a personal triumph and a national data point — evidence that the pipeline of talent being developed across Indian cities and towns is delivering results on the international stage. For a generation of young Indians who grew up watching Anand dominate world chess and then discovered the game themselves through school programmes and streaming platforms, this milestone arrives as validation. The 64 squares, as CM Gupta put it, have produced 100 champions. All eyes now turn to how India performs at future Chess Olympiads — and whether central or state governments will respond to this milestone with dedicated infrastructure funding to push the number still higher.Point of View
Not merely a symbolic one — it confirms that the country has built a replicable talent pipeline rather than relying on individual genius. The arc from Anand's solitary title in 1988 to a century of GM-level players tracks closely with wider investments in youth sports infrastructure and the post-2022 Olympiad surge in grassroots participation. For the BJP-led Delhi government, associating with this moment is consistent with a broader political narrative that links national pride to sporting achievement. The real policy test, however, is whether this milestone triggers concrete funding commitments for chess infrastructure at state and central levels.
NationPress
10 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is India's 100th Chess Grandmaster?
Anuj Shrivatri is India's 100th Chess Grandmaster, as celebrated by Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on 10 November 2026.
Who was India's first Chess Grandmaster?
Viswanathan Anand was India's first Chess Grandmaster, earning the title in 1988.
How many Chess Grandmasters does India have?
India has reached 100 Chess Grandmasters, a milestone confirmed with Anuj Shrivatri's title in November 2026.
What role does the All India Chess Federation play?
The All India Chess Federation is the national governing body for chess in India, overseeing player development, tournaments, and India's participation in international competitions including the Chess Olympiad.
When did India host the Chess Olympiad?
India hosted the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai in 2022, an event widely credited with boosting grassroots chess interest across the country.
