1. Manuel Aaron was India’s first International Master (IM), and his achievements in the 1960s helped establish India’s presence in international chess.
2. She was a trailblazer for Indian women in chess, becoming one of the earliest female players in India to achieve recognition at the national level.
3. Barua became India’s second Grandmaster (GM) after Viswanathan Anand. He was instrumental in promoting chess in India during the 1980s and 1990s.
4. Thipsay, known for his victories in national and international competitions, earned his International Master (IM) title and represented India in various tournaments.
5. India’s first Grandmaster (GM), Viswanathan Anand achieved his GM title in 1985. He became the World Chess Champion in 2000, Padma Shri (1991), Padma Bhushan (2008), and Padma Vibhushan (2014). Anand is regarded as one of the best players in the history of chess.
6. Prasad became an International Master (IM) and contributed significantly to Indian chess in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
7. Thipsay, along with her brother Pravin Thipsay, made significant contributions to the chess community in India, particularly for women’s chess.
8. Gokhale was an important figure in Indian chess, winning several national titles and representing India in international chess events.
9. The first woman to earn the title of Grandmaster (GM) in India, Vijayalakshmi was also a key figure in encouraging more women to participate in competitive chess.

• Sasikiran became India’s third Grandmaster, winning numerous national and international tournaments. He is regarded as one of the top players of his generation.
• Koneru Humpy became the youngest woman ever to earn the title of Grandmaster in 2002 and one of the top players globally. She won the Women’s World Chess Championship in 2018.
• Ganguly earned his Grandmaster title in 2005 and is a top player in the Indian chess scene, with notable performances in national and international chess tournaments.
• Harikrishna, India’s youngest-ever Grandmaster at the time, became an international chess star, frequently representing India at top tournaments worldwide.
• Harika, one of India’s leading women chess players, earned her Grandmaster title and has been a consistent performer in both national and international chess events.
• Sachdev is a Woman Grandmaster (WM) and International Master (IM), recognized for her strong performances in both national and international chess events.
• Negi, one of the youngest Indian chess prodigies, became the youngest Indian Grandmaster in 2000 and earned significant accolades in his career.
• Gupta became a Grandmaster in 2013, known for his solid performances in national tournaments and as a top chess talent in India.
• Gokhale was a prominent player in the Indian chess community in the 1980s, representing India in international competitions.
• Ashok was known for his skill in the Indian chess scene and earned recognition in national tournaments.
• Abhyankar made significant contributions to the development of chess in India during the 1980s and helped improve the status of women in chess.
• Anand, as mentioned earlier, became India’s first Grandmaster in 1985 and went on to become one of the best and most successful players in chess history.
• In 2019, D. Harika’s achievements included playing in top international events and representing India in chess Olympiads, further solidifying her status as a top player.

These players represent India’s ongoing rise as a powerhouse in the world of chess, with a rich legacy and several successes in global chess tournaments. Their collective contributions have helped elevate Indian chess to international prominence.