India Reaches 100 Chess Grandmasters, But Financial Struggles Persist For Most

India now has 100 chess grandmasters, 38 years after Viswanathan Anand earned the title. Ashok Shrivatri from Madhya Pradesh is the player who pushed the country's grandmaster count to triple figures.

The Financial Burden

Unlike traditional career paths, reaching this top official title offered by FIDE comes with no financial guarantees. India currently has five super grandmasters who have crossed an Elo rating of 2,700 and get invited to elite tournaments like Norway Chess, Tata Steel and Prague Masters. They are R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, Nihal Sarin and Anand. For the rest, travelling to the next tier of tournaments can burn a pocket. Chennai-based Ilamparthi A R, India's 90th grandmaster, notes that tournament organisers sometimes cover accommodation costs, but flight expenses are still borne by the players themselves. Events like the Sharjah Masters even require grandmasters to pay entry fees of up to 100 dollars.

Rising Costs

Players face growing expenses even after earning the title. Pranav V, India's 75th grandmaster, explains that training costs increase as ratings climb. Crossing a 2,600 rating requires superior coaches with steeper rates, while getting past the 2,700 mark means hiring seconds for a team. To fund this pursuit, some families have sold property, while many parents have quit regular jobs to travel as full-time chaperones.

Career Paths

Some players find alternative ways to sustain themselves. Akash Ganesan, India's 66th grandmaster, runs the Madras School of Chess in partnership with Vishnu Prasanna to leverage his title for coaching. International Master Deboushnik De views the title as just one step in a career rather than a final destination.

Context

Chess grandmaster is the highest title awarded by the international chess federation FIDE, requiring players to achieve specific rating thresholds and norm requirements. The sport demands intensive early-age dedication, leading many young players and their families to make heavy financial sacrifices in pursuit of professional success.