Sports
Rathanvel’s Grandmaster Title Awaited Until Second Attempt
In July, 25‑year‑old VS Rathanvel of Coimbatore crossed 2500 at the Guwahati Smart City International Open and was announced as India’s 99th Grandmaster. He had completed his norms in 2022 but had been stuck in the high 2490s, saying he had reached the 2500 threshold “probably 3‑4 times.” After the August rating list was released, his rating had not risen, leaving him short of the required 2500. In July, Rathanvel, then rated 2492, played two back‑to‑back tournaments in Assam – the Ayodhana International (six games) and the Guwahati Smart City Open (five games). He was seeded first and second but did not play all the rounds, taking zero‑point byes in some. He won all 11 games, ten against opponents rated 1451‑1625 and one unrated. Each win against a rated player was worth only +0.8 because FIDE caps the rating gap at 400 points, and the ten wins added exactly the eight points needed to reach 2500. In Ayodhana he skipped four rounds; in Guwahati he did not play five games. His performance ratings in the two events were 2225 and 2299, both below his own rating, and he finished 77th and 246th respectively. Although the tournaments were rated and over 400 participants had their ratings updated, Rathanvel’s rating did not change. The missing games were the ones against him, so all other participants’ ratings were updated with one fewer game than actually played. Rathanvel said he had no idea why this happened and that FIDE and the Indian Chess Federation may have discussed it. He received no satisfactory explanation.
The current FIDE Title Regulations, effective 1 January 2024, state that games against opponents who do not belong to FIDE federations, unrated players who score zero against rated opponents in round‑robin events, and games decided by forfeit or adjudication do not count toward a title. A whole tournament can also be excluded if changes are made that benefit one or more players.
Despite the media announcing him as the 99th GM, FIDE had not approved the title. Rathanvel said the announcement caused pressure and made it difficult to focus. He credited a mentor, whose name he declined to give, for helping him stay on track.
To resolve the issue, Rathanvel had to earn the 2500 rating again. In October he played the 22nd Chefchaouen International Open in Morocco, finishing unbeaten 7/9 and beating Grandmasters Deep Sengupta and David Larino Nieto. The win against Larino in round seven brought his live rating to 2499.7, which FIDE’s Qualification Commission later confirmed could be rounded to 2500. However, his live rating after the tournament was 2497.7, so he continued playing.
Last week at the Dr. Kantor Sandor Memorial in Debrecen, Hungary, he beat WFM Sara Maria Sunea and GM Attila Czebe in the first two rounds, adding 3.4 points and raising his live rating to 2501.1. With the rating above the threshold, Rathanvel was officially recognized as India’s 99th Grandmaster. He said he felt relieved rather than triumphant, noting that he had waited four years for the number, seen it celebrated, watched it vanish, and then had to earn it a second time. The only settled part is his relief at finally achieving the title.
Frequently asked questions
How did Rathanvel finally reach the 2500 rating to become a Grandmaster?
After the Chefchaouen Open, he earned a live rating of 2499.7, which FIDE confirmed could be rounded to 2500. He then played the Debrecen Memorial, beating WFM Sara Maria Sunea and GM Attila Czebe, adding 3.4 points and raising his live rating to 2501.1, surpassing the threshold.
Why did Rathanvel’s rating not change after the Assam tournaments?
He did not play all rounds, taking zero‑point byes; the missing games were against him, so other participants’ ratings were updated with one fewer game, leaving his rating unchanged.
What does the new FIDE Title Regulations say about games that count toward a title?
Games against opponents not belonging to FIDE federations, unrated players who score zero against rated opponents in round‑robin events, and games decided by forfeit or adjudication do not count toward a title; a whole tournament can also be excluded if changes benefit players.