14/03/2026
*Mayank Chakraborty Becomes Assam’s First Chess Grandmaster*
Sixteen-year-old International Master Mayank Chakraborty from South Point School, Guwahati, has created history by becoming the first-ever Grandmaster (GM) from Assam and the entire North-East region of India.
Mayank achieved his final GM norm at the 8th Stockholm First Hotels GM Round Robin Tournament, held in Stockholm, Sweden, from 9–14 March 2026. With an impressive performance in the event, he also gained 22 ELO rating points, taking his live rating to 2508, thereby fulfilling the requirements for the prestigious Grandmaster title.
With this milestone, Mayank becomes the 94th Grandmaster of India and the first from Assam and the North-East, marking a historic breakthrough for the region’s chess community.
India’s first Grandmaster was Vishwanathan Anand, who earned the title in 1988, becoming the first GM from both India and Asia. While the country now proudly boasts 93 Grandmasters as of March 2026, the North-East had long awaited its first.
That wait has now ended with Mayank Chakraborty’s remarkable achievement. Speaking about his accomplishment, Mayank dedicated his title to the Chess players and enthusiasts of the North-East, expressing hope that this historic milestone will inspire many more titled players from the region in the years to come.
Mayank began his Chess journey at the Assam Chess Club, a unit of Akshayam, where he first learned the game and started his rise through the ranks of competitive Chess.
His achievement is not only a personal triumph but also a landmark moment for Chess in Assam and the North-East, opening a new chapter for the region’s presence on the global Chess map.
