India, Nov. 11 -- -- Nitin NarangIn sports, some centuries come slowly, but with a majestic gait, and make a deep impact for a long time to come. For Indian chess, it took 38 years and 11 months to turn a solitary milestone into a century. In a sport like chess, where it is the mind that matters, and not pace but perseverance that counts, India getting its hundredth Grandmaster is no ordinary news.

The 22-year-old International Master Anuj Shrivatri from Madhya Pradesh has earned the distinction of becoming India's 100th Grandmaster after winning the 7th ASEAN+ Individual Open Chess Championship. Coincidentally, India got its 100th Grandmaster on Diwali day. His victory was as thunderous as the bursting of Diwali crackers and as soothing...