Aswath S becomes India’s 98th Grandmaster

By admin July 21, 2026 0 comments

Aswath earned his final GM-norm at Pune International GM Round-Robin 2026 on Wednesday 8th July. Thus, he became India’s 98th Grandmaster.

Three GM-norms and 2500+ in less than 15 months

A little over a week after India got its 97th Grandmaster in the form of Harshavardhan G B, his statemate, Aswath S, hailing from Kanyakumari became India’s 98th Grandmaster. It was Late Mr. Prakash Kunte’s (Father of GM Abhijit Kunte) dream to witness a GM-norm being produced from the Pune GM Round-Robin tournament. His dream came true but unfortunately he passed away a day before it happened. The talented Asian Junior Silver and Bronze medalist, the winner of the biggest open tournament of the world – Grenke Open 2025, etched his name in history.

Thus, India got seven Grandmasters in the first seven months of 2026. We got the 99th Grandmaster, (making it eight GMs so far in 2026), in the form of Rathanvel V S on 18th July. That will be mentioned in detail in a separate report.

Aswath and his coach GM Shyam Sundar M, both are currently playing at Serbia Open 2026 Masters. Aswath and Commonwealth 2026 Gold medalist, GM Mitrabha Guha are currently the coleaders at 6/7 each.

India’s 98th Grandmaster – Aswath S | Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani

First GM-norm: Grenke Open 2025

IM Aswath S earned his maiden GM-norm at Grenke Open in April 2025. He scored an unbeaten 8/9, performed at 2779 and won the tournament, finishing ahead of 30+ GMs. Aswath defeated GM Brandon Jacobson (USA), GM Andy Woodward (USA), GM Muradli Mahammad (AZE), drew against GM Ivan Saric (CRO) and GM Elham Amar (NOR) en route his first GM-norm. In the following month’s FIDE Rating list, he got a published Elo rating of 2515.

Aswath – Woodward, Round 7

Position after 29…Qxa6?

IM Aswath S (2466) seized his opportunity when GM Andy Woodward (USA, 2536) captured the wrong pawn 29…Qxa6? in the major piece endgame. 30.Qe7+- Re8 31.Rc6 Qa1+ 32.Kg2 Rf8 33.Qxe5 Qb1 34.d6 Rd8 35.Qe7 Rf8 36.Qxf8+ and it’s over.

Grenke Open 2025 champion – IM Aswath S 8/9 | Photo: ChessBase India

Aswath S scored an unbeaten 8/9, performed at 2779, earned his maiden GM-norm, became champion and also gained 31.7 Elo rating points

Second GM-norm: First Satuday GM Round-Robin December 2025

In almost eight months later, Aswath earned his second GM-norm at First Saturday GM Round-Robin December 2025 in Hungary. Aswath drew against GM Shyam Sundar M, GM Gergely Aczel (HUN) and GM Valeriy Neverov (UKR), performed at 2618 and increased his Elo rating by 14.2 points.

Aswath S scored an unbeaten 7/9, performed at 2618, won the tournament and increased his Elo rating by 14.2 points

Third GM-norm: Pune GM Round-Robin 2026

About seven months later, Aswath earned his final GM-norm at Pune International GM Round-Robin 2026. He defeated GM Alexei Fedorov and GM Aleksej Aleksandrov, performed at 2644, finished second and gained 13.8 Elo rating points en route his final GM-norm.

Aleksej – Aswath, Round 7

Position after 35…h4!

Aswath showed fantastic positional understanding as decided against taking the rook and went with 35…h4! 36.Rff1 hxg3 37.h3 Ne5 the knight is aiming to go to f2 via d3. 38.Bd1 Rg6 39.Nb3 Nd3 40.Re2 Nf2 and Black went on to win the game.