India Adds 91st Grandmaster: Raahul VS Clinches Title at 6th ASEAN Individual Championship

Raahul VS becomes India’s 91st Grandmaster after securing a decisive win at the 6th ASEAN Individual Chess Championship in the Philippines.

In a proud moment for Indian chess, Raahul VS has officially become India’s 91st Grandmaster (GM) after a stellar performance at the 6th ASEAN Individual Championship held in the Philippines. The 21-year-old clinched the title with a round to spare, confirming his final Grandmaster norm and completing all requirements set by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) — the world’s governing body for chess.

Raahul’s latest triumph makes him India’s second Grandmaster in two consecutive weeks, following the remarkable achievement of Ilamparthi AR from Chennai, who became the 90th Grandmaster of India on October 30, 2025, after securing his final norm at the Bijeljina Open 2025 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A Historic Milestone in Indian Chess

Raahul VS, who hails from Kerala, had earlier attained the title of International Master (IM) in November 2021, when he earned his fourth and fifth IM norms and surpassed a 2400 live rating — a crucial benchmark required by FIDE for the IM title. The International Master title is one step below the Grandmaster level and represents mastery of advanced strategic and tactical chess skills.

By completing his third and final GM norm through his victory at the ASEAN Championship, Raahul fulfilled all the formal conditions for the Grandmaster title, which is the highest distinction in the world of chess, above IM (International Master), FM (FIDE Master), and CM (Candidate Master).

A “norm” in chess terminology refers to a performance standard achieved in FIDE-approved international tournaments. Typically, a player must achieve three GM norms and a minimum FIDE rating of 2500 Elo to be awarded the Grandmaster title. The Elo rating is a numerical measure of a player’s skill level, where each win or loss affects the player’s overall score based on opponent strength.

Recognition from the Chess Fraternity

Celebrating this milestone, All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang congratulated the young champion on social media platform X (formerly Twitter):

“Heartiest congratulations to Raahul V S for clinching the ASEAN Individual Championship with a round to spare and, in the process, becoming the 91st Grandmaster of the nation! Wishing you many more milestones ahead and continued success in making Bharat proud.”

The AICF lauded Raahul’s consistency and discipline, highlighting how his journey from an Asian Junior Champion to a Grandmaster reflects India’s rising dominance in the global chess arena.

India’s Rising Chess Force

India’s chess circuit has witnessed a rapid surge of young talent in recent years. Just a week before Raahul’s achievement, Ilamparthi AR, a prodigy from Chennai, became India’s 90th Grandmaster after his stellar performance at the Bijeljina Open 2025 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, securing his final norm.

Before Ilamparthi, S. Rohith Krishna achieved the distinction of becoming India’s 89th Grandmaster in August 2025, after scoring 6 out of 9 at the Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup in Kazakhstan, crossing the 2500 Elo mark, which is mandatory for the GM title.

The rapid succession of titles — from Rohith to Ilamparthi and now Raahul — showcases India’s chess renaissance, driven by strong grassroots programs, digital training resources, and mentorship from established players like Viswanathan Anand, India’s first Grandmaster and former World Champion.

Understanding the Grandmaster Title

The Grandmaster (GM) title, awarded by FIDE, is the highest and most prestigious title in chess. Once achieved, it is held for life.

• To qualify, a player must earn three GM norms in international tournaments and cross a live rating of 2500 Elo points.

• Titles below GM include International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), and Candidate Master (CM) — each requiring progressively lower rating thresholds and norms.

This hierarchical structure encourages players to gradually master strategic depth, tactical creativity, and psychological endurance — the very traits that define champions like Raahul VS.