Meet Anuj Shrivatri, India's 100th Chess Grandmaster And MP's First, Who Now Dreams Of Crossing 2600 FIDE Rating In Bhopal

Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: Anuj Shrivatri, a 22-year-old engineer, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming India's 100th Grandmaster (GM) and the first from his home state of Madhya Pradesh. This feat was accomplished after winning the 7th ASEAN Individual Open Chess Championship in Ozamiz City, Philippines, on November 8. The aspiring chess prodigy spoke to Free Press about his journey to achieving this title and his aspirations for the future.

Anuj's passion for chess began at a young age, around six years old, when his father, Ashok Kumar Shrivatri, introduced him to the game. Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and college studies, Anuj remained committed to mastering the game and gradually shifted his focus to chess full-time in June 2025.

His success can be attributed to the support and guidance he received from several coaches, including Virendra Tiwari, Nikilesh Jain, Yashpal Arora, and Rajesh Bahadur. These mentors played a crucial role in shaping Anuj's skills and deepening his understanding of the game.

Reflecting on his mentors, Anuj praised their diverse contributions, stating that they all helped him in multiple aspects of his chess career. His childhood idols, Garry Kasparov and Vishwanathan Anand, sparked his initial interest in chess, but it was under the tutelage of Rajesh Bahadur that he truly excelled and began to dominate national and international competitions.

As for his future goals, Anuj aims to surpass the 2600 FIDE rating barrier and continue winning prestigious tournaments. His drive for success extends beyond individual accolades, with a desire to inspire more young chess enthusiasts in central India to pursue the game.