Indian chess bursts onto the global stage with unprecedented might! Four grandmasters—R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Aravindh Chithambaram—now dominate the world’s top 10 live ratings. This historic milestone signals India’s unstoppable rise in chess. Fans and players alike celebrate this golden era. Dive into this thrilling journey as India’s chess titans reshape the global landscape!
Aravindh Chithambaram Climbs to World No. 9
Aravindh Chithambaram rockets to World No. 9 with a live rating of 2757.8. He clinched victory at the 6th Stepan Avagyan Memorial in Jermuk, Armenia, scoring 6.5/9. Aravindh edged out training partner R Praggnanandhaa on the Sonneborn-Berger tiebreaker. He triumphed with four wins and five draws, never tasting defeat. In the final round, he toppled Aram Hakobyan with Black pieces. “I fought hard under pressure,” Aravindh said. His rise joins Gukesh (No. 5, 2778.1) and Erigaisi (No. 4, 2781.3), showcasing India’s depth.
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Praggnanandhaa Leads FIDE Circuit, Eyes 2026 Candidates
R Praggnanandhaa, at 19, commands the FIDE Circuit with 83.59 points from five events. He ranks sixth in live ratings at 2774.2. Victories at Tata Steel Masters and GCT Romania Classic fuel his charge. He also nabbed top-three finishes in Prague, GCT Poland, and Jermuk. “I played well, but missed a key win in Round 2 against Jonas Buhl Bjerre,” said Praggnanandhaa. Still, he eyes the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Aravindh trails with 41.32 points from three events, per FIDE’s latest standings. Both stars gear up for the Uzchess Cup in Uzbekistan, starting June 18. They’ll face Ian Nepomniachtchi and Nodirbek Abdusattorov, testing their mettle again.
India’s Chess Revolution Accelerates
India’s chess revolution gains speed daily. Four grandmasters in the top 10 mark a first in history. D Gukesh, fresh off a 2024 World Championship challenge, and Arjun Erigaisi bolster this elite squad. The Chess Federation of India credits coaching from legends like RB Ramesh. “Our players train relentlessly,” Ramesh said. The Uzchess Cup looms large, pitting India’s best against the world’s finest. Fans, mark your calendars for June 18! Indian chess soars, and this generation vows to rule the board.
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