The game of chess is known to have originated in India and is called Chaturanga. Its development is understood to have been from ancient times to the present, which now has India as a master of chess. The notable achievements of Indian athletes, such as five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, have helped the country improve its global ranking. Numerous other tournaments and programs have consolidated India’s position as a chess-growing country.
The journey to acquire the title of Grandmaster is not meant for the faint-hearted. To receive this title from the World Chess Federation (FIDE), there are strict guidelines to be followed. The players need to have a fairly high ELO rating and do well in international competitions. It's a mark of respect that depicts the highest stature one can attain in chess.
India has seen a steep increase in the number of Grandmasters concerning the game, increasing its supremacy in a global aspect. This article covers the Great Indian Chess Players, namely the Indian Grandmasters' list, the Indian contributions to chess around the globe, the steps taken to be a Grandmaster, and Grandmaster growth over the years as an inspiring story.
What It Means to Be a Grandmaster (Criteria and Significance)
Becoming a Grandmaster in chess is an extraordinary achievement, marking the highest level of excellence in the game. This title is awarded by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and is considered a lifetime honor. Here’s a detailed look at the criteria and significance of being a Grandmaster:
Criteria to Become a Grandmaster
1. ELO Rating Requirement:
To qualify for the Grandmaster title, a player must achieve an ELO rating of at least 2500 at some point in their career.
2. Norms in International Tournaments:
Players must perform exceptionally in at least three FIDE-sanctioned international tournaments. These performances, called "norms," need to meet the set standards against strong opponents, including other titled players.
3. Approval by FIDE:
FIDE reviews the player’s achievements and norms before officially awarding the Grandmaster title.
Significance of Being a Grandmaster
1. Global Recognition:
The Grandmaster title is the most prestigious in chess, bringing respect and acknowledgment worldwide.
2. Symbol of Expertise:
It signifies unparalleled skill, deep understanding, and strategic mastery of chess.
3. Career Opportunities:
Grandmasters often gain invitations to elite tournaments, sponsorships, and opportunities to coach or mentor future players.
4. Inspiration to Others:
Achieving this title inspires younger players and strengthens a country’s reputation in the global chess community.
Comprehensive List of Indian Grandmasters
India has given birth to several notable chess grandmasters which makes it one of the best countries in the world of chess. This collage documents the life of the Indian chess grandmaster with the respect of the year when he attained the Grandmaster title and other details. Other famous Indian chess grandmasters, including women chess grandmasters have also helped India in raising their image at various international chess events. There are several facts which point to the increase of the number of chess players in India such as the 10th, 25th, and 50th Grandmaster.
Below, we provide a comprehensive chronological list of the Indian chess grandmasters and their contributions to the game and the society at large.
Name | State | Year | Notable Achievements | Significant Milestones |
Tamil Nadu | 1988 | First Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title; won the World Chess Championship in 2000. | 1st Indian Grandmaster | |
West Bengal | 1991 | First Grandmaster from West Bengal; won numerous national and international tournaments. | 2nd Indian Grandmaster | |
Maharashtra | 1997 | Known for his deep opening preparation; has won several international tournaments. | 3rd Indian Grandmaster | |
Maharashtra | 2000 | Leading chess player in the 2000s; represented India in multiple Chess Olympiads. | 4th Indian Grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2000 | One of the top chess players from India; former national champion. | 5th Indian Tamil Nadu chess grandmasters
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Andhra Pradesh | 2001 | Represented India in multiple Chess Olympiads; has defeated top global players. | 6th Indian chessmaster | |
Andhra Pradesh | 2002 | First woman to achieve the Grandmaster title; multiple-time Women's World Chess Champion. | ||
West Bengal | 2003 | Known for his expertise in classical chess; has represented India in the Chess Olympiad. | International Grandmaster since 2004 | |
West Bengal | 2003 | Multiple-time national champion; known for his aggressive playstyle. | 1st Chess Olympiad Player | |
Tamil Nadu | 2003 | Competed in several international tournaments; earned the title through hard-fought victories. | India’s 1st International Master from Tamil Nadu | |
Gujarat | 2004 | First Grandmaster from Gujarat; known for his competitive spirit in global events. | 1st Grandmaster from Gujarat | |
Tamil Nadu | 2006 | Known for his deep strategic understanding and consistent performance in international events. | winning the 2003 Asian Junior Chess Championship | |
Tamil Nadu | 2006 | Consistently high-ranking player in Indian chess; active competitor in international tournaments. | Won Asian Junior Championship | |
West Bengal | 2006 | Strong player with a competitive mindset; regularly participates in national and international events. | Leader, Gujarat Grandmaster Open | |
Delhi | 2006 | Youngest Indian Grandmaster at the time; known for his rapid analytical skills. | youngest Grandmaster in India at the age of 13 | |
Kerala | 2007 | First female Grandmaster from Kerala; an inspiring figure for women's chess in India. | Kerala's youngest grandmaster at the age of 18 | |
Delhi | 2008 | Multiple-time national champion; participated in numerous international events. | 3rd Indian to win the World Junior Chess Championship | |
Tamil Nadu | 2008 | Strong tactical player with a successful track record in national tournaments. | 18th Indian grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2009 | Known for his analytical depth and victories in national chess tournaments. | 19th Indian grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2009 | Skilled in the opening phase; represented India in various international competitions. | won the Indian Under-12 National Championship | |
Delhi | 2010 | Has shown impressive growth in international chess tournaments; focuses on strategic depth. | International Grandmaster in 2010 | |
West Bengal | 2010 | Known for his strong performances in Indian chess circuits; former national champion. | International Grandmaster since 2010 | |
Tamil Nadu | 2010 | International chess player with consistent victories in rapid and classical formats. | Represented India in international chess competitions | |
Tamil Nadu | 2011 | Known for his deep opening preparation; has earned numerous national titles. | 1st Chess Olympiad Player in 2012 | |
Andhra Pradesh | 2011 | Highly ranked woman chess player; former Women's World Rapid Chess Champion. | India’s 1st Woman Grandmaster in Rapid Format | |
Andhra Pradesh | 2012 | Strong performances in national tournaments; known for his calculated game style. | Consistent performer in national tournaments | |
Delhi | 2012 | Well-regarded for his strategic play; active in both national and international tournaments. | Rising Grandmaster from Delhi | |
Tamil Nadu | 2012 | Competed in multiple Chess Olympiads; known for his solid playing style. | 22nd Indian Grandmaster | |
Delhi | 2012 | Rising star in Indian chess; consistent performer in domestic tournaments. | Promising Grandmaster from Delhi | |
Maharashtra | 2013 | Known for his aggressive play and quick calculations; rising star in international tournaments. | Notable International Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2013 | Recognized for his tactical strengths and consistency in tournament play. | Highly rated Grandmaster in 2013 | |
Maharashtra | 2013 | Has made significant progress in the chess circuit with solid performances. | International Grandmaster since 2013 | |
Tamil Nadu | 2013 | Strong strategic and tactical player with notable performances in national events. | Renowned chess player in international competitions | |
Odisha | 2013 | Odisha's first Grandmaster; a trailblazer for chess in the state. | First Grandmaster from Odisha | |
West Bengal | 2013 | Known for his disciplined and balanced approach to chess; rising player in international events. | International Grandmaster since 2013 | |
Gujarat | 2014 | Rising talent in Indian chess; strong performances in national championships. | 36th Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2015 | Strong national circuit player; known for his deep strategic insight. | 37th Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2015 | Multiple-time champion in national events; regular participant in international chess tournaments. | 38th Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2015 | Known for his calculated play and regular participation in international events. | 39th Indian Grandmaster | |
Maharashtra | 2016 | Highly regarded for his skill in classical chess; impressive showing in national competitions. | 4oth Indian Grandmaster | |
Kerala | 2016 | Known for his consistency in competitive chess; regularly competes in international tournaments. | 41st Indian Grandmaster | |
Maharashtra | 2016 | Has represented India in various chess events; widely known for his resilience in competition. | 42nd Indian Grandmaster | |
West Bengal | 2016 | Known for his solid performance in classical chess; consistent contender in Asian championships. | 43rd Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2016 | Known for his strong positional understanding and consistency in national tournaments. | 44th Indian Grandmaster | |
Delhi | 2017 | Young, talented Grandmaster with notable international victories. | 45th Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2017 | Consistently represented India at the Chess Olympiad; excelling in both rapid and classical chess. | 46th Indian Grandmaster | |
Haryana | 2017 | Known for his aggressive tactical style and strong performances at the national level. | 47th Indian Grandmaster
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Goa | 2017 | Notable for his remarkable consistency in national events and steady progress in global tournaments. | 48th Indian Grandmaster | |
Maharashtra | 2017 | Rising star in the Indian chess scene; frequently competes at national and international levels. | 49th Indian Grandmaster | |
Karnataka | 2017 | Known for his solid performances in Indian chess tournaments; future contender on the world stage. | 5oth Indian Grandmaster | |
West Bengal | 2018 | Known for his consistent progress and competitive edge in national tournaments. | 51st Saptarshi Roy | |
Tamil Nadu | 2018 | Youngest Indian to defeat Magnus Carlsen; one of the world's top emerging talents in chess. | 52nd Indian Grandmaster
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Kerala | 2018 | Highly ranked player in the global circuit; young prodigy with multiple notable wins. | 53d Indian Grandmaster
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Telangana | 2018 | Strong performances in international chess events; future contender in the global chess scene. | 54th Indian Grandmaster | |
Andhra Pradesh | 2018 | Consistent performance in national tournaments; actively improving in international competitions. | 55th Indian Grandmaster | |
Telangana | 2019 | One of the top young talents in Indian chess; has made a name for himself in international chess. | 56th Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2019 | Known for his strong positional play and steady rise in the national chess ranks. | 57th Indian Grandmaster | |
Karnataka | 2019 | Consistently performed well in national chess tournaments; recognized for his determination. | 58th Indian Grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2019 | Steady performer at national and international tournaments; known for his strong and aggressive style. | 59th Indian Grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2019 | Youngest Indian Grandmaster at the time; widely regarded as one of the brightest chess talents in India. | 60th Indian Grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2019 | Known for his rapid rise in the chess world and success in international tournaments. | 61st Indian Grandmaster
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Odisha | 2019 | Remarkable progress in national tournaments; steadily rising on the international stage. | 62nd Indian Grandmaster | |
Karnataka | 2019 | Steady progress in international chess; known for his consistent national performances. | 63rd Indian Grandmaster
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Delhi | 2019 | Consistent performer in Indian chess; notable for his resilience in international events. | 64th Indian Grandmaster
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Maharashtra | 2019 | Recognized for his strategic depth and success in international chess events. | 65th Indian Grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2020 | Young Grandmaster known for his competitive edge in national and international tournaments. | 66th Indian Grandmaster
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Goa | 2020 | Achieved Grandmaster status during the pandemic; consistently excelled in chess competitions. | 67th Indian Grandmaster
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Maharashtra | 2021 | Impressive chess performances in national and international circuits; rising star. | Winner in national chess championships and major international tournaments.
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Telangana | 2021 | Known for his exceptional performances in chess tournaments; consistent competitor on the global stage. | 70th Indian Grandmaster
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West Bengal | 2021 | Rising star known for his aggressive play and regular victories in chess tournaments. | Won the Tata Steel Chess Festival 2023 | |
Maharashtra | 2021 | Young Grandmaster who achieved recognition through impressive performances in international events. | Top finishes in national tournaments and significant growth in international chess rankings | |
Tamil Nadu | 2021 | Strong, analytical chess player; gained prominence in national and international tournaments. | Success in several state and national tournaments | |
Tamil Nadu | 2021 | Recognized for his strategic play in both classical and rapid formats. | 75th Indian Grandmaster | |
Delhi | 2022 | Rising talent; steadily climbing up in national and international competitions. | Consistently placed in top positions at national chess tournaments | |
Karnataka | 2022 | Talented Grandmaster with steady growth in competitive chess; actively involved in national events. | Strong finishes in youth chess leagues and national championships | |
India | 2022 | Known for his consistency and strategic prowess in both national and international events. | 76th Indian Grandmaster
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Tamil Nadu | 2023 | Highly respected for his strong performances in national competitions. | 77th Indian Grandmaster | |
Kolkata | 2023 | Recognized for his exceptional chess skills and steady progress in tournaments. | 78th Indian Grandmaster
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Maharashtra | 2023 | Known for his resilience and strong competitive presence in both national and international events. | 79th Indian Grandmaster
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Chennai | 2023 | Known for his deep tactical understanding and impressive tournament results. | 80th Indian Grandmaster
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West Bengal | 2024 | Rising star in the Indian chess scene with notable performances in national chess events. | 81st Indian Grandmaster | |
Telegana | 2024 | Strong presence in national chess competitions; showing promise in international tournaments. | 82nd Indian Grandmaster | |
Maharashtra | 2024 | Skilled chess player; emerging talent in both classical and rapid formats. | 83rd Indian Grandmaster | |
Tamil Nadu | 2024 | Steady progression in the chess world with impressive performances at national level. | 84th Indian Grandmaster | |
P Shyaam Nikhil (85th GM) | Tamil Nadu | 2024 | Rising star known for his aggression and strategic prowess in both national and international chess. | 85th Indian Grandmaster |
Over to you
India has always had its fair share in the history of chess, and with the likes of Grandmasters Viswanathan Anand, Praggnanandhaa, and Koneru Humpy it is now more than ever. The teenagers coming through the ranks are a testament to the fact that Indian chess is now well and truly on the world map. To keep up this tempo, it is rather important to inspire the youngsters towards chess and arm them with the tools needed to conquer.
Encouraging the young chess players would be the stepping stone in growing the future champions. Know about the happenings related to Indian chess including the Grandmasters as the ring dominates glory in international events.
To discover more things about Indian grandmasters and other chess, do not forget to check Sports Social. Also be apprised with current trends and events in the sports world!
Chess Grandmasters in India: FAQs
Who was the first Grandmaster from India?
The first Grandmaster from India was Viswanathan Anand, who achieved the title in 1988.
Who is the first female Grandmaster from India?
The first female Grandmaster from India was Koneru Humpy, who earned the title in 2002.
Who is the youngest Grandmaster from India?
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is the youngest Grandmaster from India, achieving the title at the age of 12 years and 10 months in 2018.
How many Grandmasters does India currently have?
India currently has over 70 Grandmasters, as shown in the table, which makes it one of the countries with the highest number of Grandmasters.
Who is the highest-rated Indian Grandmaster?
Viswanathan Anand is one of the highest-rated Indian Grandmasters, according to the most recent ratings available.
Who is the latest Grandmaster to come from India?
Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh D are some of the latest Grandmasters in the country, with impressive rankings and achievements in recent years.