Rathanvel seals 99th GM title as India closes in on Grandmaster century
V.S. Rathanvel has become India's 99th chess Grandmaster after achieving the required 2500 Elo rating at the Guwahati Smart City International Open. The 25-year-old plans to transition into a full-time professional career after years of balancing his training with other commitments.
Why it matters
Rathanvel's achievement highlights the rapid growth and competitive depth of the Indian chess circuit as it approaches a historic milestone of 100 Grandmasters.
India edged closer to a landmark 100th Grandmaster as V.S. Rathanvel finally fulfilled a dream that had eluded him for nearly five years, becoming the country's 99th GM after crossing the coveted 2500 Elo rating mark at the Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026.
The 25-year-old from Coimbatore had completed his three GM norms back in 2022, but repeatedly fell short of the rating requirement, turning what should have been the final step into a prolonged test of patience and mental resilience.
A World Youth U-10 bronze medallist and one of India's strongest International Masters for several years, Rathanvel never stopped believing despite coming agonisingly close on several occasions before finally sealing the title.
"I came very close on multiple occasions, so it becomes very depressing because chess is a mental sport and you suddenly start doubting yourself," Rathanvel told PTI.
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