Harikrishnan A. Ra., a 23-year-old chess player from Chennai, has officially become India’s 87th Grandmaster by earning his final Grandmaster (GM) norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France on July 11, 2025. His journey from International Master (IM) to GM took seven years of dedication and hard work.
A Long Journey to Grandmaster Title
Harikrishnan had been an International Master for seven years, striving for the Grandmaster title through numerous tournaments. Guided by coach Shyam Sundar, he persevered through setbacks and finally achieved his third GM norm by drawing his last-round match against P. Iniyan in France.
- Harikrishnan’s dedication and commitment led him to become India’s 87th Grandmaster.
- He completed his final GM norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France.
- Coached by Shyam Sundar, he overcame challenges to reach his goal.
Key Moments and Past Norms
Harikrishnan secured his first GM norm at the Biel International Chess Festival 2023 in Switzerland and his second norm at the Lince Andujar Chess Open in Spain in June 2025. He clinched his final norm in France by maintaining composure and securing the necessary points.
- First GM norm achieved at the Biel International Chess Festival 2023.
- Second norm secured at the Lince Andujar Chess Open in Spain in June 2025.
- Final norm earned at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France.
Future Plans and Career Goals
Having completed his M.Com from SRM University, Harikrishnan aims to further his chess career by playing in Spain and Portugal. His target is to attain an Elo rating of 2600, a hallmark of top-tier players. Additionally, he intends to pursue an MBA in the USA while excelling in both academics and chess.
- Harikrishnan’s future plans include competing in Spain and Portugal.
- He aims to achieve an Elo rating of 2600, signifying elite player status.
- Pursuing an MBA in the USA to balance academics with his chess aspirations.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- Harikrishnan A. Ra. becomes India’s 87th Grandmaster after earning his final GM norm.
- His journey from IM to GM spanned seven years of hard work and dedication.
- Coached by Shyam Sundar, he achieved his final norm at the La Plagne International Chess Festival in France.
- Harikrishnan aims to reach an Elo rating of 2600 and pursue an MBA in the USA to balance academics and chess.
