Aarav Dengla becomes India’s 93rd Grandmaster
Aarav Dengla secured the Grandmaster title to become India’s 93rd GM this week, achieving the milestone after earning his final norm in an international tournament and crossing the 2500 Elo mark, marking another rise in Indian chess’s global surge.
The teenager, inspired by world champion D Gukesh and elite GM Arjun Erigaisi, credited his family’s sacrifices for the breakthrough. “My mother left her job so I could focus on chess. This title belongs to her as much as to me,” Aarav said.
His coach noted, “Aarav showed maturity beyond his age. He handled pressure like a seasoned player.”
Indian chess has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, with teenagers consistently breaching the 2500 rating barrier. “Seeing Gukesh and Arjun succeed made me believe it’s possible,” Aarav added, as the country’s Grandmaster tally climbed to 93.