The Indian chess scene has achieved a remarkable feat as Vignesh NR became India’s 80th Grandmaster after winning the 24th NordWest Cup 2023 at Bad Zwischenahn in Germany. In the process, Vignesh defeated German IM Ilja Schneider, crossing 2500 in the live ratings to reach the milestone. With this achievement, Vignesh and his elder brother Visakh NR have become the first brothers in India to both achieve the prestigious Grandmaster title.
Visakh NR had previously become India’s 59th Grandmaster in 2019. The brothers have been consistently performing well in national and international tournaments and have been making a name for themselves in the world of chess.
Vignesh earned his first GM-norm at Qatar Masters in 2015 at the age of 17 years. A little over one and a half years later, he scored his second GM-norm at 24th Abu Dhabi Masters in 2017. He secured his final GM-norm at 1st Gujarat GM Open 2018. A fourth GM-norm was scored at Asian Continental 2019 at Xingtai, China.
The Grandmaster title is the highest title a chess player can achieve, and only a select few have managed to do so. The title is awarded to players who have achieved a certain level of performance, with players having to attain a FIDE rating of 2500 or more, fulfill certain norms, and win specific tournaments.
Vignesh and Visakh’s achievement highlights the growing presence of Indian chess players on the international stage. Indian players have been making waves in the chess world, and their consistent performance has helped them gain recognition and respect globally.
“It’s really nice to see my brother finally made GM title requirements. Maybe it’s just the first step towards a higher level. We will be looking forward to improving more and playing good games and to impact positivity to the world” – GM Visakh N R on his brother Vignesh N R becoming a Grandmaster and creating history. Vignesh is just a year elder to his own brother Visakh.. The 80th GM is currently playing at 8th Noisiel Open 2023 in France. We will have his thoughts on this historic feat once he concludes his tournament.
The journey to becoming a Grandmaster is not an easy one, and it requires years of hard work and dedication. Vignesh and Visakh’s achievement is a testament to their perseverance and dedication to the sport. Their success is an inspiration to young chess players in India, and it is hoped that more players will follow in their footsteps and take Indian chess to new heights.
Vignesh and Visakh NR’s achievement in becoming India’s first brothers to become Grandmasters is a proud moment for the Indian chess community. Their success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it is hoped that their achievements will inspire more young players to take up the sport and strive for excellence. The Indian chess scene is certainly on the rise, and with players like Vignesh and Visakh, the future looks bright for the sport in India.
