Praggnanandhaa Dethrones Anand: Claims UzChess Cup Title and India's Chess Crown

R 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 securing the UzChess Cup Masters title on Friday.

Praggnanandhaa celebrates his UzChess Cup Masters victory

The 19-year-old Grandmaster sealed his championship victory in the final round, masterfully defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov while playing with the Black pieces. This win marks a monumental moment in Indian chess history.

The victory propelled Praggnanandhaa's live rating to an impressive 2778.3, catapulting him to World No. 4, his highest ranking ever. This achievement not only solidifies his position among the world's chess elite but also signals a generational shift in Indian chess, as he surpasses Viswanathan Anand and D Gukesh in the live classical ratings.

While this isn’t the first time Pragg has made waves internationally, 2025 has proven to be a particularly remarkable year for the young prodigy. Earlier this year, he stunned the chess world with a victory over reigning world champion D Gukesh at the Tata Steel Masters tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

However, this latest triumph is even more definitive and historic. Praggnanandhaa's UzChess Cup Masters victory not only secures a prestigious international title but also confirms his position as the new leader of Indian chess. It represents a symbolic passing of the torch, as he surpasses his peers in a discipline where experience often holds sway over youth.

Pragg’s ascent has been characterized by a maturity that belies his age, a profound understanding of the game, and remarkable composure under pressure. As India’s top-ranked player and one of the youngest ever to break into the top 5 globally, he is not merely carrying forward the legacy of past Indian chess legends, he is forging his own. Indian chess now enters a new era, with Praggnanandhaa at the helm.