In a groundbreaking achievement, 18-year-old chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has not only surpassed his idol Viswanathan Anand in live ratings but has also claimed the title of the No. 1-ranked Indian player. This milestone comes on the heels of his sensational victory over reigning world champion Ding Liren at the Tata Steel Masters in the Netherlands on January 16.
Jumping two spots to the 11th position in the live classical chess rankings with 2748.3 rating points, Praggnanandhaa now holds a slight edge of 0.3 points over Viswanathan Anand. His strategic brilliance and prowess on the board have drawn comparisons to Anand, making him only the second Indian to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess.
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph in the prestigious tournament showcased his ability to maintain an advantage throughout the game, playing with the black pieces. The win against Ding Liren marked a turning point after three initial draws in the event.
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar took to social media to commend the young chess prodigy, stating, “Big cheers to @rpraggnachess for this remarkable triumph against World Champion, Ding Liren. At the young age of 18, you haven’t just dominated the game but also risen to become India’s top-rated player.”
This recent achievement follows Praggnanandhaa’s stellar performance in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, where he secured the runner-up position after a closely contested final against Magnus Carlsen. His notable victories over top players in the World Cup, including Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana, earned him a spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament.
Praggnanandhaa’s meteoric rise in the chess world solidifies his position as a force to be reckoned with, and the chess community eagerly anticipates his continued success on the international stage.
