Stockholm: Young Indian chess talent Mayank Chakraborty has achieved a major milestone by securing his third and final Grandmaster (GM) norm, becoming India’s 94th Grandmaster and the first from the North-East region to earn the prestigious title.

The 17-year-old from Guwahati, Assam, who became an International Master in 2024, clinched the norm with a round to spare at the Hotel Stockholm North by First Hotels Chess Talents Tournament. He sealed the achievement by defeating Swedish International Master Philip Lindgren in the eighth round.

Chakraborty reached the required 6.5 points to confirm his final GM norm and later drew his final-round game against English International Master Jonah B Willow, completing what was his strongest tournament performance to date.

In the event, he recorded six wins, two draws and one loss, finishing with seven points out of nine. He also won the tournament title with a half-point lead over Norway’s Aksel Bu Kvaloy, who received a last-round walkover.

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Importantly, Chakraborty crossed the 2,500 Elo rating threshold, a key requirement under International Chess Federation (FIDE) regulations with his current rating standing above the mark, thereby officially confirming his Grandmaster status.

A former India and Asia No.1 in the Under-11 category, Chakraborty enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2021 when he competed in Europe, significantly improving his rating and rising among the top global players in his age group.

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His earlier achievements include a national silver medal in the Under-9 category, national gold in the Under-11 division, and an Under-10 silver medal at the Asian Youth Chess Championship in Sri Lanka.

His rapid rise has been supported by his family, with his mother, a doctor, playing a key role in his development, and his father reportedly stepping away from his job to accompany him to tournaments.