In a landmark moment for Indian chess, R Praggnanandhaa has officially become the new India No. 1 in the live classical chess rankings, overtaking reigning world champion D Gukesh. The 19-year-old Grandmaster achieved this feat after clinching the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 title in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with a live Elo rating of 2778.3, placing him World No. 4.
🏆 UzChess Cup Victory Seals the Rise
- Praggnanandhaa defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov with Black pieces in the final round
- Finished in a three-way tie and won the title through tiebreaks
- This marks his third major title in 2025, following wins at Tata Steel Masters and Superbet Classic Romania
📈 India’s Top 5 in Live Chess Rankings
| Rank (India) | Player | Live Elo Rating | World Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | R Praggnanandhaa | 2778.3 | 4 |
| 2 | D Gukesh | 2776.6 | 5 |
| 3 | Arjun Erigaisi | 2775.7 | 6 |
| 4 | Viswanathan Anand | 2743.0 | 13 |
| 5 | Aravindh Chithambaram | 2724.0 | 24 |
🧠 Coach’s Insight and Anand’s Praise
Praggnanandhaa’s coach RB Ramesh credited the rise to a more adventurous playing style and a diverse opening repertoire. “We discussed being more aggressive, and it’s paying off,” he told The Indian Express.
Legendary GM Viswanathan Anand congratulated Pragg on X, calling it a “deserved” rise and praising his resilience and character in winning three tiebreaks this year.
📌 Why It Matters
- Marks the first time since Anand’s peak that a new Indian has broken into the top 5 globally
- Highlights India’s youth-driven chess revolution, with three players in the top 6 worldwide
- Sets the stage for a thrilling race to the 2026 Candidates Tournament
🔁 Share this article to celebrate India’s new chess king and the rise of a generation rewriting the global chess order.
