The 17-year-old, a Class 12 student of Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya in Bhavan here, crossed the mandatory ELO 2,500 mark to earn the degree.
Telangana’s Raja Ritwik has become the Grandmaster after crossing the ELO 2,500 mark at the Vezarkepzo GM Chess tournament in Budapest.
The 17-year-old, a Class 12 student of Sri Ramakrishna Vidyalaya in Bhavan here, crossed the mandatory ELO 2,500 mark to earn the GM’s degree. He achieved four ratings points after the fourth round in the tournament when he defeated FIDE Master Finek Václav of Czechoslovakia.
Rithvik earned the third and final criterion in the first Saturday round-robin GM tournament in early September. He received his first criterion in 2019 and second in August.
A Warangal native, Rithvik is raised by NVS Rama Raju, who has also coached the likes of GM Dronavalli Harika.
Rithvik has the rare distinction of earning two GM norms within 20 days.
“I am happy to have this coveted title for which I am working hard. I am grateful to coach Raju sir,” Rithvik said.
“The GM title is a huge inspiration and I should be thinking big, including pursuing my ultimate goal of becoming world champion.”
Telangana Chess Association president KS Prasad was also among those who congratulated Rithvik.
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