Mayank Chakraborty: A Historic Triumph as the First Grandmaster from India’s North-East Region
Mayank Chakraborty Makes History as Northeast India’s First Grandmaster
Stockholm, Sweden — In a remarkable achievement that has been years in the making, 17-year-old Mayank Chakraborty from Assam has officially become the first Grandmaster from India’s Northeast region, securing his third and final GM norm at the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Young Talents chess tournament. This milestone not only marks him as the 94th Grandmaster in India but also highlights the burgeoning talent emerging from the region.
On Saturday, Chakraborty showcased his exceptional skills by defeating Swedish International Master Philip Lindgren in a commanding performance, clinching the necessary 6.5 points with a round to spare. His journey culminated in an exciting final round where he drew against English IM Jonah B Willow, solidifying his status as a chess prodigy.
Born in a region known more for its football fervor, Chakraborty’s parents quickly recognized his innate talent for chess. His mother, a doctor, and his father, who made the significant decision to leave his job to support his son’s aspirations, have been pivotal in nurturing his passion for the game. Their unwavering belief in his abilities has now paid off in spectacular fashion.
Chakraborty’s chess journey began at a young age, with early triumphs in national age-group tournaments. He earned national silver in the Under-9 category and gold in the Under-11 category, along with a silver medal at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in Sri Lanka. His meteoric rise saw him become the top-ranked player in India and Asia for his age group.
The year 2021 proved to be transformative for Chakraborty as he competed in Europe, dramatically increasing his Elo rating from the 1800s to nearly 2200. By 2024, he had already earned the title of International Master. This week, he crossed the critical 2500 Elo rating mark, confirming his Grandmaster title as per FIDE regulations.
In the tournament, Chakraborty displayed remarkable consistency, winning six games, drawing two, and losing just one, ultimately finishing with seven points out of a possible nine. His performance not only earned him the Grandmaster title but also the tournament championship, finishing half a point ahead of Norwegian player Aksel Bu Kvaloy.
As the chess world celebrates this historic achievement, Mayank Chakraborty stands as an inspiration for aspiring chess players, particularly from the Northeast, proving that with talent, dedication, and support, dreams can indeed become reality.