Anuj Srivastri's Triumph Marks 100th Grandmaster for India

In a congratulatory message posted on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Anuj Srivastri’s elevation to India’s 100th chess Grandmaster.

Modi wrote that the nation has finally completed a "century" in chess, noting that India now joins an elite list of countries with a hundred Grandmasters. He praised the achievement as a testament to the deep talent reservoir, rigorous training, and increasing love for chess among Indian youngsters.

The 22‑year‑old from Madhya Pradesh clinched the Grandmaster title on Diwali after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in Sinacaban, Philippines. After an early setback—losing his opening game—Srivastri turned the tournament around, securing seven out of eight possible points to lift the trophy.

Veteran Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, who first earned the title for India in 1988, also extended his wishes on the social platform X. Anand remarked that his own Grandmaster title will reach a 40‑year milestone in December 2027 and hailed Srivastri’s feat as a historic "centenary" moment.

Modi’s message concluded with optimism that this breakthrough will inspire more youth across the country to take up chess, further enriching India’s presence on the global chess stage.