Rathanvel VS from Coimbatore has achieved the title of India’s 99th Grandmaster (GM) in chess, a milestone he reached after a sustained effort to cross the 2500 Elo rating mark. His journey to this distinction was marked by a four-and-a-half-year wait for the necessary rating, despite having secured the required GM norms earlier.
The final push for the rating came during two tournaments in Assam. Rathanvel, who had a FIDE rating of 2492 on July 1, 2026, strategically played against lower-rated opponents, specifically those under 1600, to accumulate the necessary points. This approach involved winning games to gain eight Elo points, thereby reaching the 2500 rating threshold.
The path to Grandmaster
Rathanvel’s chess journey began at a young age with a free chessboard obtained through a promotional offer. He later joined a local academy, crediting coaches Krishnamoorthy and Dhansekar for their early guidance. By 2019, he had surpassed the 2400 rating and earned four International Master (IM) norms at the Abu Dhabi Masters.
His first GM norm was achieved in September 2021 at the First Saturday tournament in Hungary, followed by a second norm in the same month at the Vezerkepzo GM-MIX. A third norm was secured in 2022. Despite fulfilling the norm requirements, the 2500 Elo rating remained elusive for a significant period.
The wait for the rating was described by Rathanvel as a challenging phase, leading to moments of despair and sleepless nights. He recounted instances where he was just one win away from the target rating, only to falter under pressure. Injuries, including fracturing his hand twice, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on international travel, further complicated his progress. Additionally, his mechanical engineering studies at Hindustan College in Coimbatore also demanded his attention during this period.
Overcoming challenges and looking ahead
A particularly disheartening moment occurred during a game against David Paravyan in Abu Dhabi, where he felt he was in a winning position but ultimately blundered. This experience led him to consider taking a break from chess.
Financial support played a crucial role in Rathanvel’s career. He received sponsorship from MPL (Mobile Premier League) from 2019 to 2025. During an MPL-organised event called the Chess Mahayudh, he played for twelve hours non-stop, achieving 256 wins out of 265 games and securing a top prize of Rs 5 lakh. However, this sponsorship concluded following the Indian government’s ban on real-money gaming platforms. His family, particularly his father Sivakumar and mother Senthil Vadivu, who run a wedding card printing business in Coimbatore, also provided support.
Rathanvel’s coaching network expanded over time to include notable mentors such as GM Vishnu Prasanna, GM Srinath Narayanan, GM Sundararajan Kidambi, and GM Shyam Sundar. Upon achieving the GM title, he expressed a sense of fulfillment and closure, acknowledging the significant role his parents’ hopes played in motivating him.
While the GM title brings recognition and potentially eases financial burdens by attracting organisers, Rathanvel is realistic about the competitive landscape. He noted that reaching top invitational events often requires a rating of 2650 or higher. He is currently involved in teaching chess online as a freelance tutor and plans to establish his own academy, indicating his continued commitment to the sport.
Rathanvel’s strategic decision to play in the 8th Ayodhya FIDE rating chess tournament and the 3rd Guwahati smart city international rating tournament in Guwahati, Assam, proved instrumental in securing his GM title.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Arjun Sharma
Sports Reporter