India’s 85th Chess Grand Master

• P Shyaamnikhil became India’s 85th Grandmaster after securing his third and final GM norm at the recently at Dubai Police Masters chess.
• This achievement marked the end of a 12-year journey for the player, who embarked on his chess career at the age of eight.
• He had already secured two out of three GM norms back in 2012 and reached the requisite 2500 ELO rating points but he had to wait further 12 years to get the mandatory third GM norm to be accorded GM status.
• In 2024, he finally achieved the third GM norm held in the Dubai Police Masters Chess Tournament.

ABOUT GRANDMASTER TITLE

• Grandmaster or International Masters is one of the prestigious chess titles which is awarded by the world chess governing body FIDE.
• FIDE awards four titles to the men and women’s chess players globally.
• It is a lifelong title and can be used by the chess players.