“India no longer just plays chess. It leads.” — A nation’s journey from one Grandmaster to eighty-eight
As of July 2025, India has 88 Grandmasters (GMs) — a remarkable achievement that places the nation among the world’s elite chess powers. This number, recognized by FIDE, represents more than trophies and titles. It reflects three decades of effort, wider access to training, growing ambition among young players, and deepening skill across the country.
From Viswanathan Anand’s solitary GM title in 1988 to Divya Deshmukh’s historic 2025 triumph, India’s chess story is one of sustained growth, regional diversity, and global ambition.
📜 From One to Eighty-Eight: India’s Chess Journey
Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988, and for years he remained the only one. His success in international tournaments throughout the 1990s and 2000s gave young Indian players a clear role model to follow.
The growth accelerated steadily: by 2010, India had around 20 GMs; in 2018, the count crossed 50; and by July 2025, it had climbed to 88. To earn the GM title, players must achieve three GM norms and reach a FIDE rating of 2500. In rare cases, winning certain world titles grants the title directly.
Think of India’s GM growth like compound interest. Anand was the initial deposit in 1988. Each new GM inspires and trains more players, creating a multiplier effect. What took 22 years (1988-2010) to reach 20 GMs, took just 7 years (2018-2025) to nearly double from 50 to 88.
🏆 Divya Deshmukh: Breaking New Ground
Divya Deshmukh from Maharashtra became India’s 88th Grandmaster in July 2025 by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup. She is the fourth Indian woman to earn the prestigious title.
Her achievement was unique — she skipped the traditional route of accumulating three GM norms and a 2500 rating. By winning the World Cup, she earned the title directly. Her victory represents more than personal triumph; it proves that Indian women now compete and win on chess’s biggest stages.
Divya Deshmukh Facts: 88th Indian GM | 4th Indian Female GM | Maharashtra | Won FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 | Age: 19 years
🗺️ Chess Powerhouse States of India
India’s chess excellence is not evenly distributed. Several states have emerged as powerhouses, each contributing significantly to the GM count through dedicated infrastructure, coaching networks, and school programs.
| State | Notable Grandmasters | Key Strengths |
|---|---|---|
| Tamil Nadu | Anand, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa | School programs, Chennai academies |
| Maharashtra | Divya Deshmukh, Vidit Gujrathi, Pravin Thipsay | Pune/Mumbai tournaments, academies |
| Andhra Pradesh | Koneru Humpy, Pentala Harikrishna | Strong women’s chess tradition |
| West Bengal | Dibyendu Barua, Surya Shekhar Ganguly | Historic chess culture |
| Delhi | Emerging talents | Growing school/club network |
Tamil Nadu’s dominance in Indian chess parallels how certain regions dominate other sports (Punjab in wrestling, Haryana in boxing). What makes a state become a sporting powerhouse? Consider: early role models, infrastructure investment, school integration, and cultural acceptance.
⚡ Modern Grandmasters Making Waves
India’s current generation doesn’t just collect titles — they compete with the world’s absolute best. In 2024, four Indian players ranked in the global top 30, a remarkable achievement for any chess nation.
- D. Gukesh (Tamil Nadu): Youngest Indian to beat Magnus Carlsen; excels at Olympiad and Candidates level
- R. Praggnanandhaa (Tamil Nadu): Reached 2023 FIDE World Cup final; known for calm style and deep preparation
- Arjun Erigaisi (Telangana): Rapid rise; excels in both rapid and classical formats
- Nihal Sarin (Kerala): Blitz and rapid specialist; steadily improving in classical chess
- Raunak Sadhwani (Maharashtra): Teenager playing at elite level with promising rating trajectory
👑 Women Who Changed the Game
India now has four female Grandmasters — each fought through challenges and set new benchmarks for women in Indian chess.
- Koneru Humpy: India’s first female GM; former Women’s World Rapid Champion; blends deep calculation with adaptability
- Harika Dronavalli: From Andhra Pradesh; multiple world title events; stayed in global top ten for over a decade
- R. Vaishali: Sister of Praggnanandhaa; approaching world’s top five women; remarkable family chess story
- Divya Deshmukh: At 19, won Women’s World Cup 2025; signals strong future for Indian women’s chess
Don’t confuse: India’s first GM (Viswanathan Anand, 1988) with India’s first female GM (Koneru Humpy). Also note: Dibyendu Barua was India’s second GM (male), not Humpy. The four female GMs are: Humpy, Harika, Vaishali, and Divya.
👤 Pioneers Who Made It Possible
India’s chess scene was built by a few early players who cleared the path for future generations.
- Viswanathan Anand: India’s first GM and five-time world champion; made chess popular nationwide; continues mentoring young talent
- Pentala Harikrishna: Strong classical player; stayed in world top 20 for years
- Krishnan Sasikiran: Key player in early 2000s; Olympiad gold winner; guided younger players
- Dibyendu Barua: India’s second GM; started West Bengal’s chess movement; trained many students
🌍 India’s Presence on the Global Stage
India now competes, not just participates. In the 2022 and 2024 Chess Olympiads, Indian teams ranked near the top. The women’s teams also performed strongly. Indian juniors regularly win age-group world titles.
In 2024, four Indian players — Gukesh, Arjun, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit — ranked in the world’s top 30. Their games are featured in elite tournaments, and coaches worldwide now study Indian games with keen interest.
The support ecosystem has matured: the All India Chess Federation (AICF), private academies, corporate sponsors, and school programs all contribute. Online platforms like ChessBase India and Chess.com India, along with YouTube content creators, have made chess accessible to millions.
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Viswanathan Anand became India’s first Grandmaster in 1988, remaining the only one for several years.
As of July 2025, India has 88 Grandmasters, with projections to reach 100 by 2026.
Divya Deshmukh from Maharashtra became India’s 88th GM by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025.
Tamil Nadu leads Indian chess, having produced Anand, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and many others.
India has 4 female Grandmasters: Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, R. Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh.
