Aarav Dengla: Mumbai’s Rising Star Becomes India’s 93rd Chess Grandmaster

Mumbai Teenager Aarav Dengla Becomes India’s 93rd Chess Grandmaster

Last Updated: March 02, 2026, 08:45 IST

In a remarkable achievement for Indian chess, 17-year-old Aarav Dengla from Mumbai has officially become the country’s 93rd Grandmaster. This milestone was reached after he triumphed at the GM Mix Bijeljina and GM-norm Round Robin Tournament held in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the weekend.

Aarav’s journey to the Grandmaster title has been nothing short of inspiring. He secured his third and final Grandmaster norm, pushing his classical live rating to an impressive 2506, thus fulfilling all the criteria necessary for the prestigious title. His ascent follows closely behind fellow chess prodigy Aaryan Varshney, who became a Grandmaster just a month earlier.

The young chess enthusiast first made waves in the chess community by earning his initial Grandmaster norm at the 1st International GM Tournament Bijeljina in 2022. He followed this up with a second norm at the Zupanja Celebrates Chess GM-norm Round Robin in Croatia in 2025.

Aarav’s accolades don’t stop there; he also clinched the Grand Paris Masters Championship in 2024 and was crowned the FIDE World Schools Rapid and Blitz champion the same year. His victory at the Grand Paris Masters, where he faced off against 250 competitors, showcased his exceptional talent as he achieved a perfect score of seven points.

A student at Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Aarav’s passion for chess ignited at the tender age of five, thanks to his mother, who introduced him to the game. “I started learning chess when I was five. I played my first few-day tournaments when I was six. Since then, I have always been in love with the game,” Aarav shared in a 2022 interview with Chess.com.

As India celebrates this latest addition to its roster of Grandmasters, Aarav Dengla stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring chess players across the nation. His journey is a testament to dedication, skill, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the world of chess.

For more updates on Aarav’s journey and the world of chess, stay tuned!