June 28, 2025 — In a landmark moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has officially ascended to the No. 1 spot in India, following a stunning win at the UzChess Cup Masters in Uzbekistan.
In the final round on Friday, Praggnanandhaa defeated Uzbekistan’s top GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov with the Black pieces, clinching the championship title and etching his name in Indian chess history. With this victory, his live FIDE rating soared to 2778.3, catapulting him to World No. 4 — his highest-ever global ranking.
A Generational Shift in Indian Chess
This win marks more than just a personal milestone — it symbolizes a changing of the guard in Indian chess. Praggnanandhaa has now surpassed current world champion D Gukesh in the live classical ratings, establishing himself as the new face of Indian chess excellence.
A Stellar 2025 for the Teen Prodigy
2025 has already been a breakthrough year for the Chennai-born chess prodigy. Earlier this year, he shocked the global chess community by defeating Gukesh at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee. That victory hinted at his rising dominance — but his latest triumph in Uzbekistan confirms it.
Praggnanandhaa’s consistent performances on the international stage have now placed him among the world’s elite, alongside the likes of Carlsen, Firouzja, and Nepomniachtchi.
As India continues to rise as a chess powerhouse, Praggnanandhaa’s crowning as national No. 1 serves as both an inspiration and a signal: the next era of Indian chess has well and truly begun.
