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Raahul VS Clinches 91st Grandmaster Title at 6th ASEAN Individual Championship
Raahul VS: India's 91st Grandmaster Seals Title at ASEAN Championship
The impressive surge in Indian chess talent continues unabated as Raahul VS, a 21-year-old player from Tamil Nadu, officially became the country's 91st Grandmaster (GM). He secured this coveted title by clinching the 6th ASEAN Individual Championship (Governor Henry S. Oaminal Cup) in the Philippines, a victory that earned him his final and decisive GM norm.
Triumph in the Philippines
Raahul's performance at the ASEAN Individual Championship was nothing short of dominant. He sealed the championship title with a round to spare, demonstrating both strategic maturity and tactical resilience that proved too much for his international competitors. This triumph automatically fulfilled the requirements for his final Grandmaster norm, completing the final checkpoint on his journey to the highest title in chess.
The news of his success, announced on Friday, comes just a week after fellow Chennai prodigy Illamparthi AR became India’s 90th Grandmaster on October 30th. This remarkable back-to-back achievement underscores the strong pipeline and robust development structure currently fueling India's chess revolution.
The Journey to the GM Title
Raahul VS, who is an Asian Junior Champion and also pursuing an MBA, has shown consistent and disciplined progress on the competitive circuit. His trajectory included:
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International Master (IM) Title: He earned the IM title in November 2021, securing his necessary norms and successfully crossing the 2400 FIDE rating benchmark.
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Mentorship and Hard Work: Reports indicate Raahul, who also works as a part-time coach, has significantly sharpened his play over the past year. His coach, Shyamsundar Mohanraj, noted that while the youngster was always strong tactically, dedicated work helped him overcome an earlier tendency to make critical one-move blunders, allowing his true potential to emerge at the top level.
His latest performance showcased the strategic depth and competitive composure required for the Grandmaster status.
A Milestone for Indian Chess
The All India Chess Federation (AICF) celebrated the milestone, with President Nitin Narang extending public congratulations to the young player for his victory and for "making Bharat proud."
Raahul's achievement further solidifies Tamil Nadu's reputation as the country's primary chess hub. The state has now produced a significant percentage of India’s 91 Grandmasters, a testament to its strong coaching ecosystem, frequent tournaments, and deep-rooted grassroots support for the sport.
The Grandmaster title, awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is the highest rank a player can achieve. It typically requires achieving three GM norms—a high-level performance benchmark in a qualified international tournament—and reaching a career FIDE rating of 2500 or above. Raahul VS has now joined this elite club, marking him as a key player in the next generation of Indian contenders on the global chess stage.
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