Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa made a significant mark at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament by defeating reigning world champion Ding Liren of China in the event's fourth round. This remarkable achievement not only showcased Praggnanandhaa's exceptional skills but also catapulted him ahead of the iconic Viswanathan Anand, becoming the top-rated Indian player. Following this triumphant moment on Tuesday night, the 18-year-old chess sensation's FIDE live ratings soared to 2748.3 points, marginally surpassing Anand's 2748 points. FIDE, the international chess federation, updates these ratings monthly.
Praggnanandhaa's victory, achieved in a grueling 62-move game while playing with the black pieces, marks him as only the second Indian after Anand to defeat a sitting world champion in classical chess. This isn't the first time he has bested Liren, having also overcome the world champion in the 2023 edition of the Tata Steel tournament.
The young Grandmaster expressed his elation with a simple yet poignant remark, "That feels good!" He is currently in an impressive position in the Masters event, holding third place with 2.5 points.
Praggnanandhaa's recent form has been nothing short of spectacular. His runner-up finish in the World Cup to chess maestro Magnus Carlsen the previous year qualified him for the prestigious Candidates tournament scheduled for April. This tournament is crucial as it determines the challenger to Liren for the world championship title.
The tournament has also seen some remarkable performances from other players. Dutch chess player Anish Giri leads the Masters group after securing a win against Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh. Giri's victory, attributed to his expertise in endgames, puts him at 3.5 points, leading into the tournament's first rest day. Close on his heels is Alireza Firouzja, who is half a point behind with 3 points.
Another Indian participant, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, played a draw against Jorden Van Foreest in the fourth round, accumulating 2 points from four rounds.
Looking ahead, the fifth round holds exciting matchups. Praggnanandhaa will face the current leader, Anish Giri, while his fellow Indian competitors, Gukesh and Gujrathi, will play against Ian Nepomniachtchi and Max Warmerdam, respectively. These upcoming games promise to be a display of high-level strategic play, showcasing the best of international chess talent.
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