From Sacrifice to Success: How 16-Year-Old Mayank Chakraborty Made History as Northeast’s First Chess GM
NEW DELHI: Mayank Chakraborty made history this past Saturday, becoming the first Grandmaster (GM) from Assam and the entire Northeast region of India at the age of 16. His remarkable achievement was secured during the 8th GM Tournament in Sweden, marking him as India’s 94th Grandmaster overall.
The news broke early on Saturday morning, catching Rajib Dhar, general secretary of the All Assam Chess Association, in a peaceful slumber. His sleep was interrupted by the excited voice of his daughter, who innocently declared, “Papa, I want to learn chess like Mayank Dada so I can be the first Woman Grandmaster from Assam.” Dhar shared this moment with TimesofIndia.com, reflecting on how Mayank’s triumph can inspire the next generation of chess players in Assam.
Mayank’s chess journey began at the age of seven when his mother, Dr. Monomita Chakraborty, sought the guidance of Dhar via Messenger. Having settled in Pandu, a locality in Guwahati, she wanted her son to learn the game from someone reputable. Dhar, already known for mentoring Assam’s International Master Shahil Dey, accepted the challenge. “In the beginning, his tactical skills were great, but he was a bit impatient as kids can be. However, he developed beautifully over time,” Dhar recalled.
Fast forward to today, and Mayank has become a three-time national champion across various age categories, showcasing remarkable confidence at the chessboard. Recognizing his potential, Dhar sought financial support from the All India Chess Federation’s president, Nitin Narang, last year. Narang granted ₹2.5 lakh for Mayank’s upcoming tournaments, a decision that proved pivotal.
Behind every successful athlete is often a steadfast supporter, and for Mayank, that person is his mother. Monomita’s dedication has been vital, often capturing incidents where her love for her son transcended professional commitments. Dhar recounted a moment when he delivered a chess resource to her during a surgery, highlighting her commitment to Mayank’s chess education.
As the journey intensified, Monomita left her government job in 2022 to travel with her son full-time, prioritizing his chess career. “Chess was the number one priority for us,” she stated. Early on, her husband Keshab Chakraborty would accompany Mayank to tournaments, but family difficulties necessitated her more active participation.
Monomita described the challenges they faced: “Mayank dealt with sinusitis and severe allergies, and managing his health while abroad often became complex.” Yet, the sacrifices bore fruit when Mayank achieved his GM title with a round to spare in Sweden, a pivotal moment completing a long-held desire-not only for Mayank but for the region itself.
Since Viswanathan Anand became India’s first GM in 1988, the Northeast has been eagerly awaiting its own champion. Monomita emphasized that when Mayank began, his only aim was to be the first Grandmaster from Assam and the Northeast. The pandemic temporarily stalled their progress, but after overcoming psychological hurdles, Mayank’s determination culminated in his success in Sweden.
Despite this milestone, the financial demands of elite chess remain daunting. Monomita revealed that the family has exhausted their savings funding trips to Europe for competitive tournaments. “Chess is very expensive, and we need corporate support to sustain this journey,” she explained. With the landscape of chess changing in the Northeast, Monomita expressed hope that support would come for her son’s bright future.
In Guwahati, young aspiring chess players are awakening with dreams fueled by Mayank’s groundbreaking achievement, ready to follow in the footsteps of Assam’s new GM.
Original Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/chess/mother-quit-job-son-scripts-history-how-mayank-chakraborty-16-became-northeasts-1st-gm/articleshow/129587609.cms
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Publish Date: 2026-03-15 17:45:00
