In a significant career milestone, Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has now become the top-ranked men’s chess player in India, surpassing the seasoned Viswanathan Anand. This achievement came after Praggnanandhaa defeated China’s Ding Liren, the current world champion, during the 4th round of the Tata Steel Masters tournament held on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Dutchman Anish Giri has taken the lead in the Masters Group, emerging as the sole leader as they head into the first rest day.
Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, also extended his congratulations to Praggnanandhaa for securing the position of the new number-one chess player in India.
R Praggnanandhaa Beats World Champion Ding Liren
In a groundbreaking achievement, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has made history by becoming the top-ranked Indian chess player for the first time in his career. This remarkable feat was accomplished on January 16 at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, where Praggnanandhaa defeated the reigning world champion, Ding Liren.
At just 18 years old, Praggnanandhaa surpassed his idol Viswanathan Anand in the live classical chess rankings, securing the 11th position overall with an impressive 2748.3 rating points. This puts him 0.3 points ahead of Viswanathan Anand, marking a significant milestone in Praggnanandhaa’s chess journey.
Also Read: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma Invitated to Ram Mandir Inauguration
Praggnanandhaa’s Historic Victory
R Praggnanandhaa made a remarkable entrance into the fourth round of the esteemed tournament, securing an impressive victory. This achievement puts him in a league with only one other Indian, Viswanathan Anand, who defeated a reigning world champion in classical chess.
Playing with the black pieces, Praggnanandhaa took an early lead and maintained it throughout the game. This win against Ding Liren marked his first victory in four rounds, following three draws at the beginning of the event. His ability to outplay top-tier opponents, including world champions, invites comparisons to Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion and India’s first grandmaster.
Sachin Tendulkar Tweet on R Praggnanandhaa Win
Renowned Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar expressed his admiration for a budding chess sensation through a post on his social media account.
Praggnanandhaa Rising to the Top in Chess World Cup 2023
Praggnanandhaa has achieved the status of being the highest-ranked Indian chess player, following his impressive performance at the 2023 FIDE World Cup. In this prestigious event, he secured the runner-up position, facing a defeat against the renowned Magnus Carlsen in the final.
Despite the loss, Praggnanandhaa garnered global attention for his exceptional skills in Baku. Notably, he became the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to reach the final of the Chess World Cup. His remarkable journey included significant victories over Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana.
Additionally, Praggnanandhaa’s outstanding performance in the World Cup earned him a spot in the top 3, securing a place in the Candidates Tournament.
Tata Steel Masters 2024 Rankings
Check the rankings of Tata Steel Masters 2024 in the table below:
| Tata Steel Masters 2024 Rankings | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ranking | Player | Rating | Points |
| 1. | Anish Giri | 2749 | 3.5 |
| 2. | Alireza Firouzja | 2759 | 3 |
| 3. | R Praggnanandhaa | 2743 | 2.5 |
| 4. | Nodirbek Abdusattorov | 2727 | 2.5 |
| 5. | Wei Yi | 2740 | 2.5 |
| 6. | Ian Nepomniachtchi | 2769 | 2.5 |
| 7. | Vidit Santosh Gujrathi | 2742 | 2 |
| 8. | Ding Liren | 2780 | 2 |
| 9. | Max Warmerdram | 2625 | 2 |
| 10. | D Gukesh | 2725 | 1.5 |
| 11. | Jordan van Foreest | 2682 | 1.5 |
| 12. | Ju Wenjun | 2549 | 1 |
| 13. | Alexander Donchenko | 2643 | 1 |
| 14. | Parham Maghsoodloo | 2740 | 0.5 |
Also Read: T20 World Cup 2024 Schedule, Matches, Groups, Venue
R Praggnanandhaa Beats World Champion Ding Liren FAQs
Q.1. How did Praggnanandhaa become the top-ranked chess player in India?
Ans. Praggnanandhaa achieved this milestone by defeating world champion Ding Liren during the Tata Steel Masters tournament, securing the 11th position with a 2748.3 rating.
Q.2. What is Praggnanandhaa’s current ranking in the Tata Steel Masters 2024?
Ans. Praggnanandhaa holds the third position in the Tata Steel Masters 2024 with a rating of 2743.2, trailing behind Anish Giri and Alireza Firouzja.
Q.3. How did Praggnanandhaa’s victory over Ding Liren unfold?
Ans. Playing with the black pieces, Praggnanandhaa took an early lead and maintained it throughout the game, marking his first victory in four rounds.
Q.4. What does Sachin Tendulkar say about Praggnanandhaa’s win?
Ans. Sachin Tendulkar expressed admiration for Praggnanandhaa’s victory, highlighting the young chess sensation’s remarkable achievement in a tweet.
Q.5. What is the significance of Praggnanandhaa’s win in the context of Indian chess history?
Ans. Praggnanandhaa’s victory over Ding Liren marks a historic moment, placing him alongside Viswanathan Anand as the only Indian players to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess.
