Praggnanandhaa Claims UzChess Cup, Ousts Gukesh as India's Chess No. 1

Praggnanandhaa Ascends to India's Chess Throne, Claims UzChess Cup Masters Title

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has officially ascended to the throne as India's No. 1 chess player, a historic feat achieved after clinching the UzChess Cup Masters title on Friday.

The 19-year-old Grandmaster secured the championship by defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov with the Black pieces in the final round, marking a significant moment in Indian chess history.

This victory propelled Praggnanandhaa's live rating to 2778.3, elevating him to World No. 4, his highest-ever ranking. This result solidifies his position among the world's elite and signals a generational shift in Indian chess, as he surpasses D Gukesh in the live classical ratings.

2025 has proven to be a productive year for Praggnanandhaa. Earlier this year, he stunned the chess world by defeating reigning world champion Gukesh at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

Thursday’s triumph, however, is more definitive and historic. Praggnanandhaa not only won a prestigious international tournament but also confirmed his arrival as the new leader of Indian chess. It's a symbolic passing of the torch, as he overtakes his peers in a discipline where experience often trumps youth.

Praggnanandhaa's rise has been characterized by remarkable maturity, a deep understanding of the game, and unwavering composure in high-pressure situations. As India's top-ranked player and one of the youngest ever to reach the top 5 globally, he is not merely carrying forward Anand’s legacy; he’s forging his own. Indian chess now enters a new era, and Praggnanandhaa is at its helm.