Understanding Indian Chess Grand Masters

This question asks about the lineage of Indian chess Grand Masters, specifically identifying the second person from India to achieve this prestigious title after Viswanathan Anand. The title of Grand Master (GM) is awarded to world-class chess players by the sport's governing body, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs). It is the highest title a chess player can attain, apart from World Champion.

Viswanathan Anand: The First Indian Grand Master

Viswanathan Anand holds a significant place in Indian chess history as the first person from India to become a Grand Master. He achieved this milestone in 1988. His success paved the way for many future Indian chess players and popularized the sport in the country.

Identifying the Second Indian Grand Master

Following Viswanathan Anand's achievement, the next Indian player to earn the Grand Master title was Dibyendu Barua. He became India's second Grand Master in 1991. This was another important moment for Indian chess, demonstrating that Anand's success was not an isolated incident and that more talent was emerging.

Analysis of the Options

Let's look at the provided options in the context of Indian Grand Masters:

• P. Harikrishna: Pentala Harikrishna is a very strong Indian Grand Master. He achieved the GM title in 2001. While a prominent figure, he became a GM much later than the second Indian GM.
• Dibyendu Barua: Dibyendu Barua became the second Indian Grand Master in 1991. This directly answers the question.
• Abhijeet Kunte: Abhijeet Kunte is also an Indian Grand Master. He earned his GM title in 2000. Like Harikrishna, he became a GM much later than the second Indian GM.
• Shashikaran Krishnan: Krishnan Sasikiran is another leading Indian Grand Master. He achieved his GM title in 1998. He was not the second, but the third Indian Grand Master.

Ranking Indian Grand Masters by Year

To further clarify the sequence, here is a table showing the first few Indian players to achieve the Grand Master title, along with the year they achieved it:

Based on this information, Dibyendu Barua was indeed the second Indian player to become a Grand Master after Viswanathan Anand.

Conclusion

The question asks for the second Grand Master of India after Viswanathan Anand. Historical records and the timeline of achieving the GM title confirm that Dibyendu Barua was the second Indian to reach this status.

Revision Table: Indian Chess Pioneers

Additional Information: The Grand Master Title in Chess

The Grand Master title is the highest recognition in chess. It is awarded by FIDE based on specific criteria, primarily involving achieving a FIDE rating of 2500 or more and earning three Grand Master norms in international tournaments. A norm is essentially a high level of performance over a specific number of games against strong opponents, including other GMs or titled players. Once awarded, the GM title is held for life. Achieving the GM title is a major milestone for any chess player, representing years of dedication, study, and competitive success. India now has numerous Grand Masters, making it one of the leading countries in the sport.