📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / My son Hridayeshwar Singh Bhati of 11 years is the
Sports
Rajasthan's First Arena Grandmaster, Former IIT Dropout, Hits Chess Milestone
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 21 Aug 2026, 01:18 AM
👁 8
A former IIT student who left home has become Rajasthan's first Arena Grandmaster, marking a historic achievement in Indian chess.
A young chess player from Rajasthan, who earlier abandoned his studies at the Indian Institute of Technology and left his family home, has earned the title of Arena Grandmaster. This distinction makes him the first player from the state to achieve the Arena Grandmaster rating, a milestone recognized by the World Chess Federation.
His journey from an engineering aspirant to a chess champion underscores a growing trend of talent shifting from conventional academic paths to competitive sports. The achievement is expected to inspire other youngsters in Rajasthan to pursue chess at a professional level.
The Economic Times highlighted the player's background and his historic win, noting that his success adds a new chapter to the state's sporting narrative. Chess enthusiasts and local authorities have welcomed the news, seeing it as a boost for the game's popularity across the region.
His journey from an engineering aspirant to a chess champion underscores a growing trend of talent shifting from conventional academic paths to competitive sports. The achievement is expected to inspire other youngsters in Rajasthan to pursue chess at a professional level.
The Economic Times highlighted the player's background and his historic win, noting that his success adds a new chapter to the state's sporting narrative. Chess enthusiasts and local authorities have welcomed the news, seeing it as a boost for the game's popularity across the region.