Almaty, Kazakhstan : Rohith Krishna has etched his name in Indian chess history by becoming the nation’s 89th Grandmaster following his stellar performance at the Almaty Masters Qonaev Cup in Kazakhstan. At just 20 years old, Rohith scored an impressive 6 out of 9 points, securing his final Grandmaster norm and crossing the critical FIDE rating threshold of 2500. His victory against Armenia’s Artur Davtyan in the last round was decisive, earning him 15.1 rating points and cementing his position among the chess elite. Rohith finished the tournament in a strong 8th place, showcasing his formidable skill on the international stage.
Rohith’s rise to Grandmaster status has been rapid and consistent. He first claimed the Candidate Master title in 2017, progressed to FIDE Master in 2019, and achieved the International Master title in 2022. Earlier this year, he earned his first GM norm at the Hotel Stockholm North GM tournament, followed by his second norm at the prestigious 2025 Dubai Open. His final GM norm at Almaty within a span of two months is a testament to his dedication and burgeoning talent. Remarkably, Rohith is the second Indian to become a Grandmaster so soon after Divya Deshmukh became the 88th Indian GM, highlighting a vibrant era for Indian chess.
India’s chess landscape continues to flourish with talents like Rohith Krishna S making waves globally, bolstering the country’s standing among the chess powerhouses of the world. His achievement reflects the growing momentum and depth of Indian chess, inspiring young aspirants nationwide. With a promising career ahead, Rohith Krishna’s journey from a young Candidate Master to a celebrated Grandmaster underlines the rapid evolution of chess in India and sets the stage for even greater achievements in the future.
Discussion about this post