Praggnanandhaa: This is one of the best phases of my career
The latest occupant of the hot seat is R. Praggnanandhaa, who is ranked World No. 4 in the latest FIDE rating list released by FIDE on Tuesday. Arjun Erigaisi and D. Gukesh are placed No. 5 and 6, respectively.
The 19-year-old from Chennai isn't concerned much about the ranking. He is pretty happy, though, with the kind of chess he has been playing over the last few months. He has won three significant titles, including the prestigious Wijk aan Zee (Tata Steel) this year.
I have always dreamt of winning a GCT event, Winning the #SuperbetChessClassic is indeed dream come true. I'm grateful to my coach, team, family, and supporters for their unwavering belief in me. pic.twitter.com/BmuVt9lgyi — Praggnanandhaa (@rpraggnachess) May 17, 2025
'Winning Wijk aan Zee meant a lot to me as it is an 87-year-old tournament, which was won in the past by several World champions,' Praggnanandhaa told The Hindu over phone from Zagreb, where he would be playing the third leg of the Grand Chess Tour. 'It was also nice winning the Superbet Chess Classic in Romania and the UzChess Cup in Tashkent just a couple of days ago.'
He admits this has been one of the best phases of his career. 'I have tried to change a few things about my chess, which has worked,' he said. 'I am much more confident, and I push myself in those critical games.'
Praggnanandhaa is glad that the young Indians, apart from the top three, have been doing well of late. 'Aravindh Chithambaram is playing great chess,' he said. 'And Nihal Sarin has had good results in the classical formats of late. Our achievements, like Gukesh's World title and Arujun breaking the 2800 Elo barrier, motivate each other.'
Before chess conquered the world, it was born in India.
For centuries, India has shaped the game. Now, it shapes the future.
Praggnanandhaa R. carries that legacy forward — and today, he joins ours.
Welcome to Team Liquid. The future of chess starts here. 💙🇮🇳
Pragg உன்னை… pic.twitter.com/50yLIJgGd3 — Team Liquid (@TeamLiquid) June 28, 2025
He is looking forward to the Esports World Cup, in which he will play for Team Liquid, alongside World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. 'It is nice that chess is becoming part of Esports,' he said.
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