Dronacharya Award winners

  1. Manuel Aaron was the first International Master (IM) of India, paving the way for future chess players in the country. He is regarded as one of the pioneers of Indian chess.
  2. She became the first woman to earn the title of International Woman Master (IWM) in India and was a significant figure in promoting chess among women in the country.
  3. Barua was the second Grandmaster (GM) of India, after Viswanathan Anand, and became one of the leading Indian chess players during the 1980s.
  4. Thipsay earned the title of International Master and was known for his victories in the national championships and for being a top competitor in international tournaments.
  5. Viswanathan Anand is India’s first chess Grandmaster (GM), achieving the title in 1985. He became the World Chess Champion in 2000 and later received multiple prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri (1991), Padma Bhushan (2008), and Padma Vibhushan (2014).
  6. Prasad was an influential chess player during the late 1980s and earned the title of International Master (IM). He was also instrumental in promoting chess in the Indian community.
  7. Bhagyashree is a notable chess player, known for her contributions to women’s chess in India. She is the sister of Pravin Thipsay.
  8. Anupama Gokhale was a strong player who won several national titles and represented India in international competitions.
  9. Vijayalakshmi became India’s first woman Grandmaster in 2000 and has been an inspiring figure in Indian women’s chess.
  • Sasikiran became the third Indian Grandmaster and was one of the top chess players in India, having represented India in numerous international chess events.
  • Humpy Koneru became the youngest female to achieve the title of Grandmaster in 2002, and she became a prominent figure in women’s chess.
  • Ganguly earned his Grandmaster title in 2005 and has been one of India’s top chess players, particularly known for his contributions to Indian chess at international competitions.
  • Harikrishna became India’s youngest Grandmaster at the time in 2001 and achieved great success in international chess tournaments.
  • Harika, one of the best female chess players from India, earned the title of Grandmaster (GM) in 2007 and has represented India in several international chess tournaments.
  • Tania became a Woman Grandmaster (WM) in 2005 and an International Master (IM) in 2008. She is a regular participant in international chess events and has achieved significant success.
  • Negi became the youngest Indian to achieve the title of Grandmaster in 2000, having a very successful career with multiple accolades.
  • Gupta earned the Grandmaster title in 2013 and is known for his performances in national and international tournaments.
  • Gokhale was an influential figure in chess in India during the mid-1980s and has represented India in various international chess events.
  • Ashok became a recognized chess player and achieved the title of International Master during his career. He represented India in many chess tournaments and was part of the development of the chess community.

These players represent India’s rich chess legacy, and their contributions have had a lasting impact on the chess scene, both nationally and internationally.

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