Reigning world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju has expressed his belief that Magnus Carlsen’s record peak ELO rating of 2882, the highest in chess history, can be surpassed. However, the 18-year-old Indian prodigy acknowledged that achieving this feat will be “very challenging” for him or any other player in the near future.
Magnus Carlsen’s Historic Achievement
Magnus Carlsen, the world No. 1 chess player, set the record in May 2014, breaking the previous mark of 2851 held by Soviet and Russian legend Garry Kasparov since 1999. Carlsen achieved this milestone shortly after defeating Indian chess icon Viswanathan Anand in the World Chess Championship for the second consecutive time, securing the second of his five world titles.
Carlsen has dominated the chess world since 2011, maintaining his position as the top-ranked player for over a decade. His peak rating of 2882 remains a towering benchmark in the sport.
Gukesh’s Perspective on Breaking the Record
Speaking on the sidelines of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour in Weissenhaus, Germany, Gukesh shared his thoughts on the possibility of surpassing Carlsen’s record. “I do think it is possible,” he said. “But I also understand that it is very challenging, especially since the ratings have, in general, been quite low at the top compared to a few years back. So maybe in a few more years, it is possible, but right now, in the near future, it’s not that likely.”
Gukesh, currently ranked third in the world with a rating of 2787, is the top-ranked Indian player. Despite his impressive rise, he is yet to surpass Viswanathan Anand’s peak rating of 2817, achieved in March 2011. Anand remains the highest-rated Indian player in history and is joint-eighth on the all-time list of peak ratings.
Indian Chess Stars on the Rise
Gukesh is not the only Indian making waves in the chess world. Arjun Erigaisi, ranked fifth globally with a rating of 2776, recently became the second Indian to join the elite 2800-rating club, achieving the feat in December 2024. R Praggnanandhaa, ranked seventh with a rating of 2758, is another rising star in the top 10.
The Road Ahead
While Gukesh’s optimism about surpassing Carlsen’s record is inspiring, he remains grounded about the challenges ahead. The chess landscape has evolved, and achieving such a high rating requires not only exceptional skill but also consistent performance against the world’s best players.
As Gukesh and other young talents continue to push the boundaries of the sport, fans can look forward to an exciting era in chess. Whether Carlsen’s record will be broken remains to be seen, but the pursuit of greatness is sure to produce thrilling moments on the board.
With young talents like Gukesh, Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa leading the charge, the future of chess looks brighter than ever.