Chess Grandmaster P Harikrishna has made it to the list of top 10 players in the world put together by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation. The 30-year-old from Guntur in Andhra Pradesh currently ranks tenth with 2,768 points. The only other Indian in the top ten list is Viswanathan Anand, who ranks seventh in the list with 2,779 points.

This is the first time two Indian players have made it to the top ten list at the same time, The News Minute reported on Monday. India also holds the 100th position with GMK Sasikiran. In the women's category, India occupies two spots with Koneru Humpy at the fourth position and Harika Dronavalli at sixth.

India stands fifth in international chess rankings. It follows Russia, United States, China and Ukraine.

Andhra Pradesh Chess Association Secretary D Srihari said, "The state government is interested in supporting chess and world-class chess players from Andhra. We will also discuss the kind of assistance the state government can provide to Harikrishna, Humpy and Harika," IANS reported.

The government has drawn criticism for not offering enough assistance to the chess players. A chess coach, who was not identified, told IANS that the chess federation should ask the central and state governments for assistance. Harikrishna's mother P Padmavathy said "Harikrishna meets his expenses and trainer's fee out of the prize money he wins." She reiterated the need for financial assistance for chess players.