Jalandhar: Punjab’s chess community has another reason to celebrate as Namitbir Singh Walia from Jalandhar has officially earned the prestigious International Master (IM) title, becoming only the second player from the state to achieve this distinction.
Walia secured his final IM norm at the 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament held in France, where he delivered an exceptional performance to finish fourth overall among a strong international field.
His coach, Kanwarjit Singh, took to social media to share the news, lauding Walia’s consistency, discipline, and years of hard work that culminated in this landmark achievement.
This milestone marks a significant moment for Punjab’s chess scene, which continues to grow in prominence on the national and international stage. The state’s first IM, Dushyant Sharma, also from Jalandhar, earned the title in 2022, becoming a trailblazer for aspiring players after crossing the 2400 FIDE rating barrier by defeating Russia’s IM Artem Sadovsky.
Speaking about Walia’s success, local chess enthusiasts and federation members praised the young player’s dedication and called it a proud moment for the region. Many noted that his achievement would inspire the next generation of chess players in Punjab to aim for global recognition.
With this latest accomplishment, Walia joins the elite ranks of India’s rapidly expanding pool of titled players, reinforcing Punjab’s growing influence in the country’s chess circuit.
