V S Rathanvel Becomes India's 99th Chess Grandmaster
V S Rathanvel has become India's 99th chess Grandmaster, crossing the 2500 Elo rating mark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026, bringing India within one of the 100-GM milestone. The 25-year-old, from Coimbatore, had completed his three GM norms in 2022 but repeatedly fell short of the rating requirement, making the final step a test of patience. India's chess journey began in 1987, when Viswanathan Anand — also from Coimbatore — became the country's first Grandmaster. Reaching 100 GMs would be a landmark for Indian chess.
Key Facts & Details
7 points- 1V S Rathanvel became India's 99th chess Grandmaster.
- 2He crossed the 2500 Elo mark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026.
- 3India is now one short of the 100-Grandmaster milestone.
- 4The 25-year-old, from Coimbatore, completed his three GM norms in 2022.
- 5India's first Grandmaster was Viswanathan Anand in 1987, also from Coimbatore.
Deep Dive
- +A Grandmaster title requires three GM norms and a peak rating of at least 2500 Elo.
- +Rathanvel has won bronze at the World Youth U-10 and been among India's strongest International Masters.
Exam Focus
Who became India's 99th chess Grandmaster, and at which tournament?
Exam Relevance & Angle
Chess milestones are testable sports GA items. India's 99th GM (Rathanvel), the 100-GM approach and the Anand-as-first-GM link are precise hooks.
Target Exams
Background & Context
The Grandmaster (GM) title, awarded by the world chess body FIDE, is the highest title a player can attain (besides World Champion), requiring three GM 'norms' and a peak rating of at least 2500 Elo. India's chess rise began with Viswanathan Anand becoming the first Indian GM in 1987; the country has since produced a wave of young Grandmasters, and crossing 100 GMs marks the depth of Indian chess.
Test Yourself
1 / 2Who became India's 99th chess Grandmaster in July 2026?
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