Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India's 100th chess Grandmaster, calling the milestone a sign of the country's growing depth in the game.
In a post on X, Modi wrote: "India has hit a century in chess! Exceptional isn't it? India is now home to a hundred chess Grandmasters!" He called Shrivatri's achievement "a wonderful achievement".
What the Prime Minister said
Modi said reaching 100 Grandmasters "reflects the immense talent, dedication and hard work of our players as well as the growing popularity of chess among our youth". He said it was "particularly heartening to see young chess talents emerging from different parts of the country and making their mark on the global stage", and hoped the feat would "inspire many more youngsters to take up chess and pursue excellence."
The release from the Prime Minister's Office does not give details of how or where Shrivatri earned the final norm for the title.
Source: official release by the Prime Minister's Office, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (10 NOV 2026 1:46PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Prime Minister congratulates Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2334594) issued by the Prime Minister's Office on 10 NOV 2026 1:46PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.Prime Minister congratulates Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th Chess Grandmaster — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
