In a monumental achievement, 18-year-old chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has clinched the top spot in India’s chess rankings, surpassing the legendary Viswanathan Anand. This historic feat was accomplished after Praggnanandhaa’s sensational victory over reigning world champion Ding Liren at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. The young Grandmaster’s ascent to the No. 1 position signifies a remarkable milestone in his burgeoning career.
Praggnanandhaa’s strategic prowess was on full display as he outplayed Ding Liren with the black pieces, marking a pivotal moment in the Tata Steel Masters. The win propelled him to the 11th spot in the live classical chess rankings, edging past his idol Anand by 0.3 rating points.
Notably, Praggnanandhaa is only the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand, to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess. His consistency and ability to overcome elite players have drawn comparisons to Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion and the first grandmaster from India.
The achievement did not go unnoticed, with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar lauding Praggnanandhaa’s triumph on social media. Tendulkar commended the young chess sensation for not only dominating the game but also ascending to the pinnacle of India’s chess rankings at the age of 18.
Praggnanandhaa’s rise to the No. 1 spot follows his impressive performance in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, where he finished as the runner-up, losing to Magnus Carlsen in the final. The young talent’s journey to the top included landmark victories over formidable opponents like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, earning him a well-deserved berth in the upcoming Candidates Tournament.
With his recent accomplishments, R Praggnanandhaa continues to etch his name in the annals of Indian chess, leaving an indelible mark on the international stage.
(With Inputs from agencies)
