India’s Grandmaster Surge: A New Era in Global Chess
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Rise of Indian Chess
- From One to Eighty-Eight: India’s Climb
- Divya Deshmukh: Breaking New Ground
- Where India’s Chess Strength Comes From
- Modern Grandmasters Making Waves
- Women Who Changed the Game
- Pioneers Who Made It Possible
- India’s Presence in Global Chess
- Support Systems and the Road Ahead
- Conclusion
- Key Takeaways Table
Introduction: The Rise of Indian Chess
India’s success in chess has grown over three decades of effort, training, and access. As of July 2025, India has 88 Grandmasters (GMs). This puts it among the world’s leading chess nations. The number, recognized by FIDE, points to more than trophies. It shows wider access, broader ambition, and growing skill across the country.
From One to Eighty-Eight: India’s Climb
Viswanathan Anand became India’s first GM in 1988. He remained the only one for years. His success abroad in the 1990s and 2000s gave young players a clear example. By 2010, India had around 20 GMs. In 2018, it crossed 50. By 2025, the count had climbed to 88.
To become a GM, players must earn three GM norms and reach a FIDE rating of 2500. In rare cases, winning certain world titles grants the title directly. That’s how Divya Deshmukh became India’s 88th GM.
Divya Deshmukh: Breaking New Ground
Divya Deshmukh, from Maharashtra, became a GM in July 2025 by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup. She’s the fourth Indian woman to earn the title. Her win skipped the usual route of rating and norms. It was more than a personal triumph. It proved Indian women now compete and win on the sport’s biggest stages.
Where India’s Chess Strength Comes From
India’s chess rise comes from several states that invest in players and coaching.
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu leads the country in chess. It produced Viswanathan Anand and stars like D. Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa. The state promotes chess in schools, and Chennai has many private coaching centers.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra has a strong chess culture. Divya Deshmukh, Pravin Thipsay, and Vidit Gujrathi are from here. Pune and Mumbai hold regular events and run established academies.
West Bengal
This state produced early stars like Dibyendu Barua and Surya Shekhar Ganguly. The chess tradition is still alive but has slowed compared to Tamil Nadu.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh produced Koneru Humpy and Pentala Harikrishna. Both remain high-level players. Humpy still inspires young women in chess.
Delhi
Delhi is a newer hub. The city’s schools and clubs now attract serious talent and host regular events.
States like Telangana, Kerala, and Gujarat are also building strong foundations.
Modern Grandmasters Making Waves
India’s current Grandmasters don’t just aim for titles. They compete with the world’s best.
- D. Gukesh: From Tamil Nadu, he became the youngest Indian to beat Magnus Carlsen. He performs well in top events like the Olympiad and Candidates.
- R. Praggnanandhaa: Also from Tamil Nadu, he reached the 2023 FIDE World Cup final. His prep and calm style make him a fan favorite.
- Arjun Erigaisi: From Telangana, Arjun rose fast. He excels in both rapid and classical formats.
- Nihal Sarin: From Kerala, he stands out in blitz and rapid games and is growing steadily in classical chess.
- Raunak Sadhwani: A teenager from Maharashtra, Raunak already plays at the elite level. His rating shows strong promise.
Women Who Changed the Game
India now has four female Grandmasters. Each fought through challenges and set new benchmarks.
- Koneru Humpy: India’s first female GM and a former Women’s World Rapid Champion. She blends deep calculation with adaptability.
- Harika Dronavalli: From Andhra Pradesh, Harika has played in multiple world title events. She has stayed in the global top ten for over ten years.
- R. Vaishali: Sister of Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali is close to entering the world’s top five women. Her progress parallels her brother’s.
- Divya Deshmukh: At 19, Divya won the Women’s World Cup and became a GM. Her fast rise signals a strong future.
Pioneers Who Made It Possible
India’s chess scene was built by a few early players who led the way.
- Viswanathan Anand: India’s first GM and a five-time world champion. He made chess popular nationwide and mentors young talent.
- Pentala Harikrishna: A strong classical player who stayed in the top 20 for years.
- Krishnan Sasikiran: A key player in the early 2000s. He won Olympiad gold and helped guide younger players.
- Dibyendu Barua: India’s second GM. He helped start West Bengal’s chess movement and trained many students.
India’s Presence in Global Chess
India now competes, not just participates. In the 2022 and 2024 Olympiads, Indian teams ranked near the top. The women’s teams also performed well. Juniors often win age-group titles.
In 2024, four Indian players ranked in the world’s top 30—Gukesh, Arjun, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit. Their games are featured in top tournaments. Coaches abroad now study Indian games with interest.
Support Systems and the Road Ahead
India’s rise in chess has wide support. The All India Chess Federation (AICF), private academies, sponsors, and schools have all contributed. Many schools now include chess in their curriculum. Online platforms like ChessBase India and Chess.com India, along with YouTube creators, have helped the sport grow.
Prize money and travel funding are better. Young players now get early exposure to global events. Online coaching and large databases help rural talent get noticed.
India had 88 Grandmasters by mid-2025. It may reach 100 by the end of 2026. But numbers alone don’t tell the story. India is producing skilled and consistent players. With this pipeline, another world champion may be close.
Conclusion
India’s 88 Grandmasters show a deep interest in chess across the country. The nation has gone from following Anand’s games to fielding stars across formats and age groups. Young players now train with modern tools, learn from past champions, and aim higher. India no longer just plays. It leads.
Key Takeaways Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| India’s GM Growth | From 1 GM in 1988 to 88 in 2025, showing rapid and sustained development. |
| Women Achievers | 4 female Grandmasters, with Divya Deshmukh making history in 2025. |
| Key Contributors | States like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh drive the growth. |
| Modern Young GMs | Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun, Nihal, and Raunak compete at global levels. |
| Support Systems | AICF, academies, online platforms, and school programs boost performance. |
| International Presence | Indian players rank in top global positions and win at Olympiads. |
| Future Outlook | India may reach 100 GMs by 2026, possibly producing another world champion. |