S Rohith Krishna becomes the 89th Grandmaster of India
IM S Rohith Krishna became the 89th Indian to achieve the Grandmaster title on Tuesday 12th August 2025 at Almaty Region Open Qonaev Cup Masters. A win against IM Artur Davtyan (ARM) in the final round secured his final GM-norm. Rohith earned his first GM-norm in February this year at Hotel Stockholm North by First hotels GM Round-Robin in Stockholm, Sweden. Nearly four and a half months later, he scored his second GM-norm at 25th Dubai Open in Dubai, UAE. In August 2025, he got a published rating of exact 2500. Rohith earned all three GM-norms within a span of six months and completed the rating requirements too. Check out the journey of the talented 19-year-old from Chennai. Photo: IM Vivek Sohani
Three GM-norms in six months
S Rohith Krishna started playing chess in 2013. It was his dream to become a Grandmaster which also became the dream of his parents. His consistency, never give up attitude and he always wanted to give his best according to Rohith's father Sudhakaran. The teenager's journey started at White and Black academy. Within a year he was winning all inter-academy tournaments. So that coach, Jagadeesh, suggested going to a better one for the student's benefit and betterment. Rohith is working with FM FT Visweswaran K since 2018. As his father said, both the student and the trainer trust each other which bears the fruit.
First GM-norm: Hotel Stockholm North by First hotels GM Round-Robin 2025
IM S Rohith Krishna earned his first GM-norm at Hotel Stockholm North by First hotels GM Round-Robin in February this year in Stockholm, Sweden. He scored an unbeaten 6.5/9 to earn his first GM-norm, including wins against GM Peng Li Min (SUI), GM Normunds Miezis (LAT), draws against GM Valery Kazakouski (LTU) and GM Vitaly Sivuk (SWE).
Peng - Rohith, Round 2
GM Peng Li Min (SUI, 2512) sacrificed a pawn on 14th move 14.b6. He never got any compensation for it and IM S Rohith Krishna (2481) outplayed him comfortably.
Second GM-norm: 25th Dubai Open 2025
Nearly four and a half months later, Rohith scored his second GM-norm at 25th Dubai Open 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He scored 5.5/9, defeated GM Iniyan Pa, GM Mahammad Muradli (AZE), drew against GM Nihal Sarin and GM Ivan Zemlyanskii, on his way to his second GM-norm.
Rohith - Muradli, Round 6
GM Muradli Mahammad (AZE, 2603) went for a delayed Benko Gambit when he opted for 5...b5. In the above position, trading the bishops is recommended by the computer 13...Bxg2 14.Kxg2 Nb4 and Black recovers the pawn. Instead, 13...Bf5 14.e4 Bd7 15.Nc4 Nc7 16.a4 Bb5 17.Bf1 Qe8 18.a5 Na6 19.Bd2 Bxc4 20.Bxc4 cost Black valuable time. Six out of the 19 moves were by light-squared bishop which did not do any good for Black. If anything, it helped White to gain a lot of tempi. 20...Bxb2 21.Rb1 Bg7 22.Qb3 Qd8 another loss of tempo for Black. 23.Bxa6 Rxa6 24.Qb7 Rxa5 25.Bxa5 Qxa5 26.Qxe7 and Black is positionally lost. IM S Rohith Krishna (2490) did not have any trouble converting his advantage into a win.
Third GM-norm: 5th La Plagne Master 2025
Rohith got a published rating of exact 2500 in FIDE Rating list August 2025. In the same month, he scored his final GM-norm at Almaty Region Open Qonaev Cup in Almaty, Kazakhstan. He drew against GM Bassem Amin (EGY), GM Maxim Matlakov, GM S L Narayanan and GM Srihari L R.
Rohith - Artur, Round 9
In an already difficult position, IM Artur Davtyan (ARM, 2479) blundered 21...Rfd8?? Find out the winning continuation for White which S Rohith Krishna (2500) played in the game to win, earn his final GM-norm and become India's latest Grandmaster.
Replay Rohith's games
Rohith's best achievements
• Gold - Commonwealth Under-12 Open 2017
• Gold - Western Asia Youth Online Under-16 Boys 2021
• Silver - Commonwealth Under-14 Open 2019
• Bronze - Asian Junior Classical and Rapid Open 2023
• Champion - Ostravský Koník Open A 2023
• Champion - 18th Uros Dinic Memorial Rapid Rating Open 2022
• Champion for SSN CE - Anna University Inter-Zone Men 2024
• Runner-up for Anna University - Chennai - All India Inter-University Men 2024
• Runner-up for Anna University - Chennai - South Zone Inter-University Men 2024
• Second Runner-up - 50th National Junior Under-19 Open 2022
• Second Runner-up - 45th National Sub-Junior Under-15 Open 2019
• Second Runner-up for Anna University - All India Inter Zonal Inter University Men 2025
• Second Runner-up - Tamil Nadu State Online Under-18 Open 2021
• Second Runner-up - 45th Tamil Nadu State Sub-Junior Under-15 Open 2019
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