India gets 93rd GM: Mother quit job for chess — Making of Aarav Dengla

Sixteen-year-old Aarav Dengla has become India’s 93rd Grandmaster (GM). Guided by his mother Shipra, who quit her job to support his career, Aarav rose rapidly from prodigy to champion. Initially trained by GM Pravin Thipsay and then under Vishnu Prasanna, and balancing rigorous academics, he sealed his final GM norm in 2026, emerging as Mumbai’s third Grandmaster.

By JYOTIRMOY HALDER