Why India’s 99th GM had to do it twice: Latest mystery of Indian chess, VS Rathanvel

 VS Rathanvel’s journey to becoming India’s 99th Grandmaster took an unexpected turn after FIDE did not recognise his initial rating achievement. Despite completing his norms in 2022, the Coimbatore player had to cross the 2500 rating mark again. After setbacks, pressure and uncertainty, he finally secured the required rating in Hungary, ending a four-year wait with relief rather than celebration. VS Rathanvel’s journey to becoming India’s 99th Grandmaster took an unexpected turn after FIDE did not recognise his initial rating achievement. Despite completing his norms in 2022, the Coimbatore player had to cross the 2500 rating mark again. After setbacks, pressure and uncertainty, he finally secured the required rating in Hungary, ending a four-year wait with relief rather than celebration.