Debasis Das makes History, becomes Grandmaster

Odisha’s leading Chess player Debasis Das made history, as he became the first Grandmaster from the state. Debasis achieved the feat with a win over Anirudh Deshpande of Maharashtra in the eighth round at the National Challengers Chess tournament.

Debasis had started this tournament with 2,497 FIDE rating points and won the required three points on Friday to touch the magic number of 2,500. With this, the 77-long wait for Odisha, has come to an end.

Debasis became the first from Odisha and 34th Grandmaster of India. He had secured the International Master title in 2010. Later, he won his first GM norm in 2013 World Junior Chess Championship, second GM norm at the 2013 Dubai Open Chess and 3rd norm at the Czech Open Tournament.

Born on June 27, 1993, Debasis hails from Champeswar village of Jagatsinghpur district. He is the son of Dr. Dillip Kumar Das and Namita Das. Currently, he is based in Kantapara and studying +3 in Gobindpur College. He aims to be a Super Grandmaster in future.