Praggnanandhaa Surpasses Viswanathan Anand to Become India’s No.1 Chess Player

Tata Steel Chess Tournament

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, an 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, achieved a historic milestone in his career by defeating World Champion Ding Liren from China. This significant victory occurred during the fourth round of the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament held in Wijk aan Zee. Praggnanandhaa’s triumph was notable as he played with black pieces and displayed strategic superiority from the onset of the game​​​​​.

Surpassing Viswanathan Anand

The win against Ding Liren not only marked a personal victory for Praggnanandhaa but also led him to surpass the legendary Viswanathan Anand as the top-rated Indian player. With a FIDE live rating of 2748.3, Praggnanandhaa marginally edged past Anand’s rating of 2748. This achievement places Praggnanandhaa as the second Indian, following Anand, to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess. He had previously defeated Ding Liren at the Tata Steel tournament in 2023 as well​​​​​.

Tata Steel Chess Tournament Overview

• Anish Giri’s Performance: Anish Giri emerged as the sole leader in the Masters group, showcasing exceptional endgame skills against D Gukesh.
• Standings of Other Indian Players: Vidit Santosh Gujrathi secured a draw against Jorden Van Foreest, while Gukesh faced defeat against Anish Giri. In the tournament standings, Praggnanandhaa held the third position, Vidit was seventh, and Gukesh tenth.
• Future Matches: Praggnanandhaa is set to face Anish Giri in the fifth round, while his compatriots, Gukesh and Gujrathi, will take on Ian Nepomniachtchi and Max Warmerdam, respectively​​​.

Praggnanandhaa’s Reflections on the Game

Describing the game as “strange” and surprisingly smooth, Praggnanandhaa felt that he gained an easy equalization and maintained control throughout. He expressed his satisfaction with his performance but remained aware of the challenges ahead, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high energy throughout the tournament​​​.

Important Questions Related to Exams

• Which chess player did Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa defeat in the fourth round of the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament?
• Which legendary Indian chess player’s rating did Praggnanandhaa surpass to become the top-rated Indian player?
• What is Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa’s FIDE live rating after his victory over Ding Liren?
• What position did Praggnanandhaa hold in the tournament standings after his victory over Ding Liren?

Kindly share your responses in the comment section.