Back in September I’d written a post on my FB page. Pasting it below:
SHATRANJ KE KHILADI - the 21st century blockbuster
An interesting revolution is happening that most of us aren’t truly aware of! After badminton, chess is emerging as the sport where India is on the verge of becoming a superpower. Starting from none till 1986 (and just three before the turn of the century), India now has 82 grandmasters (GM), and the number is increasingly growing every passing year. Add to that 124 International masters (IM) and 23 Women Grandmasters (WGM, not the same as GM), and you get the whole picture.
At the highest level in world chess, we now have three Indian players in the top 20 worldwide - the young Gukesh overtaking V Anand to climb to the No. 8 spot recently), and World Cup runner up Pragga bringing up the rear at no. 19. In women’s section, we have two Indians (Humpi and Harika) in the top 20. And with teenagers like Nihal Sarin (third youngest player ever to pass ELO rating of 2600), Arjun Erigaisi, Sarayu V, Divya Deshmukh, Savitha Shri B et al growing leaps and bounds, one expects India to be the biggest name in the chess world in the coming years.
A look at state-wise distribution would show how Tamil Nadu has by far the biggest contribution, followed by WB and MH. The domination of the southern part of India in this cerebral sport is in stark contrast with physical sports such as boxing/wrestling/hockey where Northern states like Haryana/Punjab rule.
(Infographic:
https://chessbase.in/news/75-grandmasters-on-75th-Independence-Day. The article showcases each of the 75 Indian GMs by 2022
