Central Idea

Grandmaster Title: Indian chess player Vaishali Rameshbabu ( Pragnananda’s sister) has achieved the Grandmaster title by crossing 2,500 FIDE ranking points at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain.
Significance: She becomes only the third Indian woman player to earn this title, joining the ranks of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.

Understanding the Grandmaster Title

Highest Chess Honor: The Grandmaster title is the pinnacle of achievement in chess, awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Prestige: It signifies recognition as one of the world’s most talented chess players, proven in highly competitive environments.

FIDE Titles: Besides Grandmaster, FIDE awards seven other titles, including International Master (IM), FIDE Master (FM), Candidate Master (CM), Woman Grandmaster (WGM), Woman International Master (WIM), Woman FIDE Master (WFM), and Woman Candidate Master (WCM).
Lifetime Validity: All FIDE titles, including the Grandmaster title, are valid for life, barring revocation due to offenses like cheating.

Origins: The term ‘grandmaster’ dates back about a century and was formalized by FIDE in 1950.
Initial Awardees: The first batch of Grandmaster titles in 1950 included 27 players, such as then-world champion Mikhail Botvinnik.
Current Criteria: To achieve the Grandmaster title, a player must reach a FIDE Classical or Standard rating of 2,500 and earn three Grandmaster norms.
Grandmaster Norms: These norms are based on stringent rules regarding tournament performance, including a performance rating of 2,600 or higher in a FIDE tournament with specific conditions.

Performance: Vaishali’s achievement of the Grandmaster title is a testament to her exceptional performance in international chess tournaments.
Representation: Her success adds to India’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in the global chess community.