Harshavardhan GB has become India’s 97th Chess Grandmaster (GM), achieving the coveted title after securing his third and final Grandmaster norm at the 2nd Chola Chess GM Norm Round Robin Tournament in Chennai. The 22-year-old’s milestone brings India closer to the historic landmark of producing 100 Grandmasters, further strengthening Chennai’s reputation as the country’s chess capital.
Harshavardhan finished second with 6.5 points from nine rounds, recording three victories and one draw in his final four games. The decisive draw against veteran Mihail Nikitenko confirmed his final GM norm, ending a six-year wait since earning the International Master (IM) title in 2020.
Harshavardhan GB Secures Grandmaster Title in Chennai
The breakthrough came at the Chola Chess GM Norm Round Robin Tournament, where Harshavardhan produced a strong finish to complete the final requirement for the Grandmaster title.
Moments after his final-round draw was confirmed, fellow players and tournament officials congratulated him before he shared an emotional celebration with his mother outside the playing hall.
The achievement held special significance for the Chennai-based player, who had also earned his final International Master norm in the same city six years earlier.
Emotional Moment With Family
Harshavardhan described becoming a Grandmaster as a moment of immense relief after years of perseverance.
His mother, who had accompanied him to tournaments throughout much of his career, celebrated the achievement emotionally after the final game.
His father, Gopalakrishnan K, a respected FIDE Trainer and former competitive player who previously represented the Indian Bank chess team, was equally delighted by his son’s accomplishment.
For a coach who has trained numerous talented players, watching his own son earn the Grandmaster title became one of the proudest moments of his life.
How Harshavardhan GB Started Playing Chess
Harshavardhan’s introduction to chess began at home.
When he was only three to four years old, he regularly watched International Masters and Grandmasters attending training sessions conducted by his father.
His curiosity soon turned into passion, prompting his father to arrange formal coaching with FIDE Master Hariharan Venkatachalam, who quickly recognized the youngster’s exceptional tactical ability and calculation skills.
Why Friends Called Him a ‘Legend’
During his early training years, Harshavardhan earned the nickname “Legend” among his fellow players.
According to Harshavardhan, the nickname developed because of his creative ideas and impressive performances during training games and post-match analysis sessions.
His coaches also praised his tactical awareness, describing him as an exceptionally quick learner with remarkable calculation abilities.
A Remarkable Junior Career
Long before becoming a Grandmaster, Harshavardhan had already built an impressive resume in junior chess.
Some of his major achievements include:
- Bronze medal at the 2012 Asian Schools Championship
- Bronze medal at the 2015 Asian Youth Championship
- Silver medal in problem-solving at the 2016 Asian Championship
- Multiple Tamil Nadu state titles from Under-9 through Under-19
- FIDE World Youth Online Under-18 Champion (2021)
- Asian Junior Champion (2022)
- Qualification for the FIDE World Cup
Throughout his development, he trained under respected coaches including Hariharan Venkatachalam, Visweswaran Kameswaran, and later Grandmaster Deepan Chakkravarthy.
Challenges on the Road to Grandmaster
Although Harshavardhan grew up in a chess-focused family, earning the Grandmaster title was far from straightforward.
He spent six years chasing his final GM norm after becoming an International Master, narrowly missing the required result in numerous international tournaments.
Travel challenges, strict dietary requirements while competing overseas, and the financial demands of international competition added further obstacles.
Harshavardhan also revealed that he competed without long-term corporate sponsorship, relying largely on financial support from his family to pursue tournaments around the world.
What’s Next for India’s 97th Grandmaster?
After completing his Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree in 2024, Harshavardhan decided to pursue chess as a full-time profession.
With the Grandmaster title now secured, his next ambition is to join the elite ranks of world chess.
His immediate goal is to increase his FIDE rating beyond 2600 and eventually reach 2700, a milestone associated with the world’s top “Super Grandmasters.”
As India continues its rise as a global chess powerhouse, Harshavardhan GB’s success represents another significant milestone in the country’s remarkable chess journey.
Key Takeaways
- Harshavardhan GB is now India’s 97th Chess Grandmaster.
- He secured his final GM norm at the Chola Chess GM Norm Round Robin Tournament in Chennai.
- The achievement ended a six-year wait after earning the International Master title in 2020.
- Harshavardhan overcame financial and competitive challenges without long-term sponsorship.
His next goal is to achieve a 2600–2700 FIDE rating and become a Super Grandmaster.