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Punjab’s Namitbir Singh Walia Becomes International Master in Chess
Oct 29, 2025Punjab’s rising chess talent, Namitbir Singh Walia, has achieved the prestigious title of International Master (IM) after finishing fourth overall at the 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament held recently in France.
Hailing from Jalandhar, Namitbir began playing chess at the age of six and started formal coaching a year later, in 2012. Under the guidance of Coach Kanwarjit Singh, he honed his skills until 2020 before advancing to higher-level training. His consistent dedication and strategic brilliance have now earned him a place among India’s top young chess players.
A student of Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi, Namitbir has been an active participant in both national and international chess events. Earlier this year, he clinched the Senior State FIDE Rating Open Chess Championship, further cementing his growing reputation in the sport.
His parents, Arvinder Pal Singh and Satvinder Kaur Walia, expressed immense pride and joy at their son’s accomplishment and are eagerly awaiting his return home.
Namitbir is only the second player from Punjab to earn the International Master title. The first was Dushyant Sharma, who achieved the milestone in February 2022. Interestingly, both players were initially trained by Kanwarjit Singh, highlighting his vital role in nurturing Punjab’s chess talent.
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