In a testament to India's surging chess prowess, 16-year-old prodigy Ilamparthi AR from Chennai has earned the title of Grandmaster, becoming the nation's 90th and Tamil Nadu's 35th in the elite FIDE ranks. The milestone was sealed on October 30, 2025, when Ilamparthi secured his third and final GM norm at the Bijeljina Open 2025 in Bosnia and Herzegovina, crossing the required 2500 Elo rating earlier at the Rilton Cup 2024-25. Born in 2009 and a student at Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School—the alma mater of fellow Tamil Nadu sensations D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa—Ilamparthi first claimed the International Master title in 2023 after surpassing the 2400 Elo threshold. His journey reflects the structured nurturing of young talent in the state, where chess academies and government schemes have turned aspirations into global achievements.

Ilamparthi's path to grandeur was marked by resilience and strategic brilliance, with prior norms earned at the Vietnam Chess Open and Singapore International Festival earlier in 2025. Training under Grandmaster Shyam Sundar M and mentored through the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), he has honed a versatile style blending aggressive openings with endgame precision.

A former World No. 1 in the Under-8 category, Ilamparthi led Velammal to team gold at the 2025 World Schools Team Chess Championship, clinching individual gold on board four. His early promise drew international support, including a 2022 donation from Dutch GM Anish Giri of his Death Match prize money to fund training. As a beneficiary of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu's (SDAT) Champions Development Scheme, Ilamparthi's success underscores the programme's role in providing stipends, coaching, and international exposure to emerging athletes.

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Tamil Nadu's dominance in Indian chess—boasting over a third of the country's Grandmasters—owes much to its ecosystem of world-class facilities and inspirational figures like five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who personally announced Ilamparthi's title on X: "Happy to announce Ilamparthi as a GM! He missed the title on a few occasions but came back stronger each time. He has a lot of potential, and we hope to work together towards greater achievements." The All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang echoed the sentiment, posting: "Grandmaster No. 90 for Bharat! Congratulations to Ilamparthi AR on fulfilling all the requirements." This surge aligns with India's broader chess renaissance, producing two classical world champions in Anand and Gukesh, alongside rapid and age-group triumphs that have elevated the nation to a powerhouse status.

The achievement drew effusive praise from state leaders, amplifying its cultural resonance in a region where chess is woven into the social fabric. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin celebrated on X: "He battles through brilliance to script history, earning his title and adding another jewel to Tamil Nadu’s crown of champions. As the sun rises higher on Tamil Nadu chess, the #DravidianModel will keep turning every promising move into a masterstroke."

Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin added, "A remarkable milestone and yet another proud moment for Tamil Nadu and Indian chess! ... Wishing him many more winning moves." As Ilamparthi eyes future horizons, including potential Olympiad contributions, his story inspires a new generation, proving that in Tamil Nadu's chess laboratories, every calculated step leads toward legendary checkmates.

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