Home
In a historical shift in the Indian chess landscape, 17-year-old Grandmaster (GM) D Gukesh has unseated the iconic Viswanathan Anand as India's No.1 chess player, marking the end of Anand's reign that started way back in July 1986. Gukesh, a prodigious talent hailing from Chennai, recently made headlines by advancing to the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Cup in Baku, where he eventually lost to world champion Magnus Carlsen.
This tournament propelled him ahead of Anand, placing him as the 8th-ranked player in the world according to the FIDE rankings.
The ascendance of Gukesh has been rapid, as he broke into the top 10 of the FIDE ratings list for the very first time. According to the latest FIDE rankings effective as of September 1, Gukesh now boasts a rating of 2758, just edging out Anand, a five-time world champion, who sits at 2754.
Adding another feather to his cap, Gukesh has jumped up three positions on the FIDE ratings list since the beginning of August. His impressive rise is indicative of a new generation of Indian chess talent making its mark on the global stage. Another such shining star is R Praggnanandhaa, a teen prodigy who caught global attention by reaching the World Cup final where he was defeated by Magnus Carlsen. Praggnanandhaa is currently ranked 19th in the world with a rating of 2727 and stands as India's No.3 player.
The Indian chess scene is more robust than ever, boasting five players in the top 30 world rankings. Alongside Gukesh and Anand, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi ranks 27th, Arjun Erigaisi is at 29th, and the seasoned P Harikrishna sits at 31st.
Interestingly, Gukesh managed to overtake Anand, his mentor and idol, during the World Cup in Baku itself. The international chess federation (FIDE) acknowledged this historic moment on Twitter, stating that it was highly likely that the young GM would solidify his position in the top 10 as the highest-rated Indian player.
Both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are set for a busy schedule as they've been selected to represent India in the upcoming Asian Games. Before that, they will undergo training at a preparatory camp in Kolkata and are slated to compete in the Tata Steel Chess India tournament, which starts on September 5.
With Gukesh's monumental rise and the burgeoning new generation of Indian chess masters like Praggnanandhaa, the future of Indian chess looks brighter than ever. Their achievements signal not only the end of an era but also the dawn of a new one, brimming with promise and potential.
(With inputs from PTI, powered by AI)
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Sourav Ganguly namedrops Indian star in stunning prediction, says 'he is playing his first and last World Cup as...'
Asia Cup: Can reserve player Sanju Samson become part of India's playing XI against Pakistan? Here's what needs to happen
