‘What A Wonderful Achievement’: PM Modi Congratulates India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th chess Grandmaster. He described the achievement as a major milestone that reflects the country’s growing talent and the rising popularity of chess among young people.

“India has hit a century in chess! Exceptional, isn’t it? India is now home to a hundred chess Grandmasters!” Modi wrote in a post on X.

India has hit a century in chess!

Exceptional isn’t it?

India is now home to a hundred chess Grandmasters!

Congratulations to Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster! What a wonderful achievement it is.

India reaching 100 Grandmasters is a remarkable milestone that reflects the immense talent, dedication and hard work of our players as well as the growing popularity of chess among our youth.

It is particularly heartening to see young chess talents emerging from different parts of the country and making their mark on the global stage.

May this achievement inspire many more youngsters to take up chess and pursue excellence.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 10, 2026

The Prime Minister praised Shrivatri’s dedication and hard work. He said reaching the 100-Grandmaster mark highlighted the immense potential of Indian chess players.

PM Modi also welcomed the emergence of young chess talents from different parts of the country. He said their performances on the international stage could inspire more youngsters to take up the sport and pursue excellence.

Shrivatri, 22, from Madhya Pradesh, secured the Grandmaster title after winning the 7th ASEAN Plus Individual Open Chess Championship in the Philippines on November 8. He became the first player from Madhya Pradesh to achieve the distinction.

The championship took place in Ozamiz City, where Shrivatri scored seven points from nine rounds. He finished half a point ahead of Vietnam’s Nguyen Duc Hoa to claim the title.

Shrivatri began the tournament with a defeat but recovered strongly. He won six of his remaining eight games and drew two.

His final-round victory over Australia’s James Morris sealed the championship title and helped him cross the final milestone required to become India’s 100th Grandmaster.

The achievement marks another milestone for Indian chess and highlights the growing presence of young Indian players in international competitions.

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