A New Grandmaster Joins the Chess Elite
Srihari LR Becomes India’s 86th Chess Grandmaster: India has added another name to its growing list of chess legends. Srihari LR, a 19-year-old chess player from Chennai, has officially been awarded the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM), making him India’s 86th Grandmaster in the sport.His final GM norm came at the prestigious Asian Individual Men’s Chess Championship 2025 held in Al-Ain, UAE. This milestone reflects not only his personal dedication but also the thriving chess ecosystem in India.
The Journey of a Young Chess Prodigy
Srihari’s path to becoming a Grandmaster began years ago at Chess Thulir Academy, where he trained under GM Shyamsundar. His first norm was secured at the Qatar Masters 2023, followed by the Chennai GM Open 2024. The third and final norm was achieved in Al-Ain, where he remained unbeaten through the first 8 rounds and battled against 8 Grandmasters in 9 games. His Elo rating crossed the mandatory 2500 mark in August 2024, making his GM title official.
A Tournament Performance Worth Celebrating
In the Al-Ain championship, Srihari faced and defeated notable Indian Grandmasters like Abhijeet Gupta and Pranav V., and drew tough matches with top-rated international players like AR Saleh Salem (UAE) and Xu Xiangyu (China). His consistency, calm strategy, and bold gameplay were applauded by the chess community. His final GM norm came against GM Iniyan Paneerselvam, adding to the prestige of his performance.
The Legacy of Indian Chess Continues
India’s chess journey has come a long way since Viswanathan Anand became the country’s first Grandmaster in 1988. While it took 25 years to reach 35 GMs by 2013, the country has added 51 more in just the last 12 years. Srihari’s achievement is not just personal—it represents the rise of young talent, improved coaching infrastructure, and India’s deeper engagement in international chess tournaments.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Srihari LR Becomes India’s 86th Chess Grandmaster:
| Topic | Details |
| Grandmaster Title Awarded | May 2025, at Asian Individual Chess Championship |
| Player Name | Srihari LR |
| Age | 19 years |
| Hometown | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Coach | GM Shyamsundar |
| Final Norm Opponent | GM Iniyan Paneerselvam |
| Academy | Chess Thulir Academy |
| Elo Rating Crossed | 2500 Elo (August 2024) |
| India’s Total Grandmasters | 86 (as of May 2025) |
| First Indian GM | Viswanathan Anand (1988) |
