It’s really great to see hard work pay off, says Anuj Shrivatri on becoming India’s 100th GM

Anuj Shrivatri is over the moon. Becoming India’s 100th Grandmaster when the country was celebrating the festival of lights was special for the 22-year-old. “It feels very good to become a GM and that too being (India’s) 100th is also special,” he told The Hindu.

“Also I feel relieved now since I was trying for GM title since last one year, and it’s really great to see hard work pay off,” he added. The GM title came after he won the title in the 7th ASEAN+ open individual championship in the Philippines on Sunday (November 8, 2026).

He said he had not set himself any goals for the event as it would have put him under “unnecessary pressure”. “I believe it’s better to give your best and focus on the process rather than result,” Anuj added. Towards the end of the tournament there was some pressure, he said.

“.... But again I was helped by the approach of just making good decisions and not to overthink too much, thankfully on the last day I played some really good chess and managed to clinch the title by winning the last two rounds,” Anuj, the first ever GM from Madhya Pradesh said.

He said becoming a GM was his main aim and now that he had achieved it, the focus is to “cross 2600 rating barrier and win lot of tournaments.” Anuj, who admires Magnus Carlsen’s playing style and Indian legend Viswanathan Anand said he was focusing on time management.

“My strengths are openings and end-game.” Anuj currently does not have a coach and works with GMs Vishnu Prasanna, Swapnil Dhopade, Swayms Mishra from time to time. Anuj, who took up chess at the age of six when he was introduced to it by his father, said “I took a liking to it and and decided to pursue it.” “This is the most memorable moment as a player!

As becoming a GM was something which I looked forward to since childhood,” he said, thanking his parents for their support.