Aswath Achieves Milestone as India’s 98th Grandmaster

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, 17-year-old Aswath S. clinched the title of Grandmaster at the Pune International Round-Robin chess tournament on Wednesday. This victory marks a significant milestone, making him the 98th Grandmaster from India. Aswath secured his title by defeating Kannan Vaidyanathan in the final round, playing with the black pieces. Reflecting on the pressure he felt during the tournament's concluding stages, Aswath stated, “I did not think about anything else. I just played the game.”

This tournament represented Aswath's return to classical chess following a hiatus for his Std. X examinations. His last classical competition prior to this was in December 2025, where he achieved his second Grandmaster norm at the First Saturday GM Round-Robin in Budapest, finishing with an impressive score of 7 out of 9. Earlier in 2025, he had already secured his first GM norm at the Grenke Open in Germany, showcasing his talent in a highly competitive environment.

Aswath's journey in chess began at the tender age of three, guided by his father, A.C. Shiva, who served as his initial coach. By the age of four, he was already participating in district-level tournaments, achieving notable success in an under-7 State event in 2015, where he won all nine of his matches. Currently, he trains at the Chess Thulir Academy in Chennai under the mentorship of Grandmaster M. Shyam Sundar. Aswath credits his coach for his strategic preparation, saying, “(Shyam) sir is a great help and we plan ahead of each game.”

Looking ahead, Aswath aims to elevate his Elo rating from 2517 to 2600, focusing on continuous improvement in his game. Coach Shyam, speaking from Serbia, praised Aswath's dedication, describing him as a “hardworking, disciplined, motivated, and determined player” who remains free from social media distractions. Aswath's recent achievement not only highlights his personal success but also brings Indian chess closer to reaching the landmark of 100 Grandmasters, a significant milestone for the nation’s chess community.