Aswath S. Becomes India’s 98th Grandmaster at Pune International Chess Tournament

Aswath S. Becomes India’s 98th Grandmaster at Pune International Chess Tournament

Pune, July 8, 2026 — In a thrilling conclusion to the Pune International Round-Robin chess tournament, 17-year-old Aswath S. clinched his Grandmaster title, becoming India’s 98th GM. The young prodigy achieved this remarkable feat by winning all three of his final games, culminating in a decisive victory over Kannan Vaidyanathan in the last round.

Aswath, who returned to classical chess after a break for his Std. X exams, expressed relief and determination as he faced the pressure of needing to win. “I did not think about anything else. I just played the game,” he told The Hindu after his victory.

His journey to this prestigious title has been nothing short of extraordinary. Aswath first made waves in the chess community in 2025, earning his second GM norm at the First Saturday GM Round-Robin in Budapest, where he finished with an impressive score of 7/9. His first GM norm was achieved earlier that year at the Grenke Open in Germany, showcasing his talent against a strong field.

Aswath’s chess journey began at the tender age of three, guided by his father, A.C. Shiva, who was his first coach. By four, he was already competing in district-level events, and his early success came in 2015 when he dominated an under-7 State event, winning all nine rounds.

Currently training under GM M. Shyam Sundar at the Chess Thulir Academy in Chennai, Aswath credits his coach for his disciplined approach. “(Shyam) sir is a great help, and we plan ahead of each game,” he said. His immediate goal is to elevate his Elo rating from 2517 to 2600, striving for continuous improvement.

From Serbia, Coach Shyam praised Aswath’s dedication, stating, “He is a hardworking, disciplined, motivated, and determined player. He doesn’t have any social media distractions. He is fully focused. I think he will continue to grow.”

Aswath’s achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also brings Indian chess closer to the significant landmark of 100 Grandmasters, a century that promises to be memorable for the nation’s chess legacy.

As the chess community celebrates this young talent, all eyes will be on Aswath as he continues to rise in the ranks, inspiring future generations of chess players in India and beyond.