Aarav Dengla
Image generated by AI
17-year-old Mumbai prodigy Aarav Dengla becomes India's 93rd chess Grandmaster
Reported by AI Image generated by AI
Aarav Dengla, a 17-year-old from Mumbai, became India's 93rd chess Grandmaster and the city's third on February 28, 2026, by winning the GM Mix Bijeljina tournament in Bosnia and Herzegovina, securing his third GM norm and a live classical rating of 2506. The second Indian GM of 2026 after Aaryan Varshney, his success highlights family support, dedicated coaching, and balance with academics.
Aarav Dengla's journey to becoming India's 93rd chess grandmaster was fueled by his mother's ultimate sacrifice—quitting her job to support him—and inspiration from top Indian players D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, highlighting the personal dedication behind India's booming chess scene.