Rathanvel VS: India’s 99th Grandmaster Triumphs After a Long Journey to 2500 Elo Rating
India Celebrates Its 99th Chess Grandmaster: Rathanvel VS Triumphs After Years of Perseverance
NEW DELHI: In a moment reminiscent of Odysseus’s long-awaited return to Ithaca, Rathanvel VS has finally crossed the threshold into Grandmaster territory, becoming India’s 99th chess Grandmaster. After nearly a decade of relentless pursuit and numerous near-misses, the 21-year-old from Coimbatore achieved the coveted Elo rating of 2500 during a tournament in Assam on Saturday.
Reflecting on his journey, Rathanvel shared, “You know that feeling where you know you’re worthy of it, but somehow you’re not still getting there?” His voice, filled with relief and elation, echoed through the airwaves during an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com from Guwahati, marking his first visit to India’s Northeast.
A Humble Beginning
Rathanvel’s chess journey began in an unexpected way. “I got Horlicks or Complan when I was six or seven years old, and they gave a chessboard free with it,” he recalled. This simple gift sparked a passion that would lead him to enroll in a local chess academy under the guidance of coaches Krishnamoorthy and Dhansekar, whom he credits for laying the foundation of his career.
His rise in the chess world was not linear. By 2019, he had crossed the 2400 rating and secured four International Master (IM) norms. However, the elusive Grandmaster title remained just out of reach, with Rathanvel facing a series of setbacks that tested his resolve.
The Long Wait
The path to the Grandmaster title was fraught with challenges. Rathanvel described a frustrating cycle where he would inch close to the 2500 mark, only to falter under pressure. “Whenever I’m like 2496, 2497, I’ll be just one win away, and suddenly too much pressure or something, and I just kind of blunder away winning games,” he explained.
Injuries, including two hand fractures, and the COVID-19 pandemic further complicated his journey. The lowest point came in 2025 during a game against David Paravyan in Abu Dhabi, where he felt he was on the verge of victory but succumbed to blunders. “That was actually very heartbreaking,” he admitted.
A Turning Point
Despite the setbacks, Rathanvel’s determination never wavered. On July 1, 2023, he traveled to Assam for two rating tournaments, deliberately competing against lower-rated players. His strategy paid off, as he achieved ten consecutive wins, finally surpassing the 2500 rating threshold.
“I was very lucky to have sponsorship from MPL, which supported me from 2019 to 2025,” he noted, acknowledging the financial backing that allowed him to focus on his chess career. However, the Indian government’s ban on real-money gaming platforms last year ended that support, adding another layer of uncertainty to his journey.
A New Chapter
Now that he has achieved his Grandmaster title, Rathanvel describes the feeling as one of fulfillment. “It has been dragging on for the past four and a half years,” he said. “Deep down I’m happy, but I’m actually at a loss of words to explain how I feel.”
Looking ahead, Rathanvel is realistic about the challenges that lie ahead. While the Grandmaster title opens doors, he knows that top invitational events remain competitive. “Becoming a Grandmaster kind of makes organizers focus on you easily, and you get accommodation and other things, which kind of makes your financial burden less,” he explained.
In addition to competing, Rathanvel is already teaching chess online and has plans to establish his own academy. “I cannot say that I’ll be out of chess,” he said, indicating that his life will continue to revolve around the game he loves.
As India celebrates its 99th Grandmaster, Rathanvel’s story serves as a testament to perseverance, resilience, and the unwavering pursuit of dreams.