Namitbir Singh Walia from Punjab Earns Prestigious International Master Title

In a proud moment for Punjab, Namitbir Singh Walia from Jalandhar has earned the prestigious title of International Master (IM) in chess. This remarkable achievement makes him Punjab’s second-ever International Master, following Dushyant Sharma, also from Jalandhar.

A Historic Achievement for Punjab

Namitbir secured his final IM norm at the 3rd Annemasse International Masters Tournament in France, where he delivered an impressive performance and finished fourth overall.
His success marks a new milestone for Punjab’s chess community, showcasing the state’s growing talent and contribution to Indian chess at the international level.

Family and Educational Background

Namitbir comes from a well-educated family based in Chhoti Baradari, Jalandhar. His parents, Arvinder Pal Singh and Satvinder Kaur Walia, and his elder brother are chartered accountants.
He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) degree at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi—one of India’s most prestigious colleges.

Despite his busy tournament schedule, Namitbir balances academics with his chess career. He completed his schooling at Cambridge International Co-Ed School, Jalandhar.

Early Interest and Journey in Chess

According to his father, Namitbir showed a strong interest in chess from a very young age. He started playing at home with his father, who himself enjoyed chess during his school days.
Namit’s talent was evident early on—he became the Punjab Under-7 Chess Champion and later won titles up to the Under-17 category.

Although he initially faced tough competition from players in southern India, consistent practice and professional coaching helped him rise to the top.

Coaching and Mentorship

Namitbir’s chess journey began under the guidance of his first coach, Kanwarjit Singh, who started training him when he was just seven years old. By the time Namitbir completed school, he had outgrown his coach’s level, leading to his training with international mentors like Alexander from Ukraine and Swayam Mishra from Assam.

This combination of early talent and world-class coaching played a key role in shaping Namitbir into an International Master.

Major Achievements of Namitbir Singh Walia

Over the years, Namitbir has participated in several national and international chess tournaments, consistently proving his skill and determination. Some of his notable achievements include:

• Winner at the 65th Odisha Senior State FIDE Rating Open Chess Championship (2025)
• Attaining a peak FIDE classical rating of around 2,408
• Consistent participation in international chess festivals and open tournaments

These accomplishments reflect his dedication and continuous progress toward the next big goal — achieving the Grandmaster (GM) title.

Punjab’s Chess Legacy

Namitbir’s success comes four years after Dushyant Sharma became Punjab’s first International Master in February 2022, when he crossed the 2400 rating mark by defeating Russian IM Artem Sadovsky.
With both IMs now hailing from Jalandhar, the city is emerging as Punjab’s chess powerhouse, inspiring young players across the state.