In a historic moment at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands, Indian chess sensation Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu achieved a remarkable feat by defeating China’s Ding Liren. This victory solidified Praggnanandhaa’s position as the new India No. 1, surpassing the legendary Viswanathan Anand in FIDE’s live ratings, with a slight edge at 2748.3 compared to Anand’s 2748.
The eighteen-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai has become the second Indian to conquer a reigning world champion title. Notably, this wasn’t Praggnanandhaa’s first triumph over Ding Liren; a similar feat was accomplished at the same event in the previous year when Ding held the title of the world’s No. 2 player.
His chess journey has been quite impressive, reaching the final of a Chess World Cup, making him the first Indian since Anand to achieve such a milestone and opening up the pathway to a World Championship match.
In the recent match with black pieces, Praggnanandhaa showcased his prowess in the classical format, highlighting his strategic and seamless gameplay. Renowned for his achievements, including being the world’s youngest chess player to reach the World Cup final in 2023, Praggnanandhaa gained international recognition in 2022, by defeating Magnus Carlsen multiple times, drawing attention to India’s progress in the chess world.
Beyond chess, the modest and soft-spoken teenager, who harbours a love for mathematics, clinched the silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023. Praggnanandhaa’s consistent success is a testament to his dedication and skill in the world of chess.