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NDTV
11 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
"What An Achievement": Gautam Adani Praises India's No. 1 Praggnanandhaa
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Saturday lauded grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, who became India's top-ranked chess player in the live ratings after winning the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 a day earlier. The victory took Praggnanandhaa's live rating to 2778.3, making him World No. 4 - up three places - as he achieved his highest career ranking. "Congratulations @rpraggnachess! Proud of you! Winning #UzChess, becoming India's No.1 and World No.4 and you are still just 19! What an achievement! India's youth is indeed our greatest strength," the business tycoon posted on X. Congratulations @rpraggnachess! Proud of you! Winning #UzChess, becoming India's No.1 and World No.4 and you are still just 19! What an achievement! India's youth is indeed our greatest strength. 🇮🇳♟️ — Gautam Adani (@gautam_adani) June 28, 2025 Nineteen-year-old Praggnanandhaa leapfrogged world champion D Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun Erigaisi (2775.7), who was India's top-ranked player until Thursday but has now slipped to world No.6. Magnus Carlsen (2839.2) remains No.1, followed by Hikaru Nakamura (2807.0) and Fabiano Caruana (2784.2). This was Praggnanandhaa's third title of the year, after wins at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania. He was also runner-up at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial earlier this month. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand congratulated Praggnanandhaa on social media, posting: "Congrats to @rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan Chess Cup." "Third major classical victory this year. Of all his wins this year, this one seemed the least likely with just two rounds to go." He continued: "However, he defeated Arjun Erigaisi and today in the crucial match defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov to tie for first place. "In an impressive demonstration of character he won his third tiebreak of the year as well. He is deservedly the new number four in the chess world and the highest rated player in India," he concluded.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Praggnanandhaa wins UzChess Cup Masters, becomes top-ranked Indian
Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa became India's top-ranked chess player in the live ratings after winning the UzChess Cup Masters 2025, in Tashkent on Friday (June 27, 2025). The win took Praggnanandhaa's live rating to 2778.3, making him World No. 4 — up three places — as he achieved his highest career ranking. The 19-year-old leapfrogged world champion D. Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun Erigaisi (2775.7), who was India's top-ranked player until Thursday (June 26, 2025) but has now slipped to World No. 6. Magnus Carlsen (2839.2) remains No.1, followed by Hikaru Nakamura (2807.0) and Fabiano Caruana (2784.2). Praggnanandhaa started the final day a point behind local favourite Nodirbek Abdusattorov and half a point behind Javokhir Sindarov. A crucial win over Abdusattorov in the final round helped him join both players at 5.5 points at the end of the round-robin stage. Erigaisi missed a chance to make it a four-way tie after drawing with Aravindh Chithambaram. In the first round of tiebreaks, a double round-robin blitz, all three players finished with two points. Abdusattorov and Sindarov drew both their games, while Praggnanandhaa beat both with white but lost with black. In the second tiebreak, Praggnanandhaa drew with Abdusattorov with white and beat Sindarov with black. Sindarov's win over Abdusattorov sealed the title for the Indian. This was Praggnanandhaa's third title of the year, after wins at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania. He was also runner-up at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial earlier this month. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand congratulated Praggnanandhaa on social media, posting: 'Congrats to @rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan Chess Cup. Third major classical victory this year. Of all his wins this year, this one seemed the least likely with just two rounds to go.' Congrats to @rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan chess Cup. Third major classical victory this year. Of all his wins this year, this one seemed the least likely with just two rounds to go@fide_chess (1/3) — Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) June 27, 2025 He continued, 'However, he defeated Arjun Erigaisi and today in the crucial match defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov to tie for first place.' 'In an impressive demonstration of character he won his third tiebreak of the year as well. He is deservedly the new number four in the chess world and the highest rated player in India,' he concluded.
NDTV
19 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
R Praggnanandhaa Becomes Top-Ranked Indian And World No.4 After Winning UzChess Cup Masters
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa became India's top-ranked chess player in the live ratings after winning the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent on Friday. The win took Praggnanandhaa's live rating to 2778.3, making him World No.4 -- up three places -- as he achieved his highest career ranking. The 19-year-old leapfrogged world champion D Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun Erigaisi (2775.7), who was India's top-ranked player until Thursday but has now slipped to world No.6. Magnus Carlsen (2839.2) remains No.1, followed by Hikaru Nakamura (2807.0) and Fabiano Caruana (2784.2). Praggnanandhaa started the final day a point behind local favourite Nodirbek Abdusattorov and half a point behind Javokhir Sindarov. A crucial win over Abdusattorov in the final round helped him join both players at 5.5 points at the end of the round-robin stage. Erigaisi missed a chance to make it a four-way tie after drawing with Aravindh Chithambaram. In the first round of tiebreaks, a double round-robin blitz, all three players finished with two points. Abdusattorov and Sindarov drew both their games, while Praggnanandhaa beat both with white but lost with black. In the second tiebreak, Praggnanandhaa drew with Abdusattorov with white and beat Sindarov with black. Sindarov's win over Abdusattorov sealed the title for the Indian. This was Praggnanandhaa's third title of the year, after wins at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania. He was also runner-up at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial earlier this month. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand congratulated Praggnanandhaa on social media, posting: "Congrats to @rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan Chess Cup." "Third major classical victory this year. Of all his wins this year, this one seemed the least likely with just two rounds to go." He continued: "However, he defeated Arjun Erigaisi and today in the crucial match defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov to tie for first place. "In an impressive demonstration of character he won his third tiebreak of the year as well. He is deservedly the new number four in the chess world and the highest rated player in India," he concluded. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
India.com
19 hours ago
- Sport
- India.com
R Praggnanandhaa wins UzChess Cup Masters, becomes top-ranked Indian and World No.4
R Praggnanandhaa. 9PIC - X) Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa became India's top-ranked chess player in the live ratings after winning the UzChess Cup Masters 2025, here on Friday. The win took Praggnanandhaa's live rating to 2778.3, making him World No.4 — up three places — as he achieved his highest career ranking.\ R Praggnanandhaa leapfrogged D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi The 19-year-old leapfrogged world champion D Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun Erigaisi (2775.7), who was India's top-ranked player until Thursday but has now slipped to world No.6. Magnus Carlsen (2839.2) remains No.1, followed by Hikaru Nakamura (2807.0) and Fabiano Caruana (2784.2). MATCH SUMMARY Praggnanandhaa started the final day a point behind local favourite Nodirbek Abdusattorov and half a point behind Javokhir Sindarov. A crucial win over Abdusattorov in the final round helped him join both players at 5.5 points at the end of the round-robin stage. Erigaisi missed a chance to make it a four-way tie after drawing with Aravindh Chithambaram. In the first round of tiebreaks, a double round-robin blitz, all three players finished with two points. Abdusattorov and Sindarov drew both their games, while Praggnanandhaa beat both with white but lost with black. In the second tiebreak, Praggnanandhaa drew with Abdusattorov with white and beat Sindarov with black. Sindarov's win over Abdusattorov sealed the title for the Indian. This was Praggnanandhaa's third title of the year, after wins at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania. He was also runner-up at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial earlier this month. Viswanathan Anand congratulated Praggnanandhaa Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand congratulated Praggnanandhaa on social media, posting: 'Congrats to @rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan Chess Cup.' 'Third major classical victory this year. Of all his wins this year, this one seemed the least likely with just two rounds to go.' He continued: 'However, he defeated Arjun Erigaisi and today in the crucial match defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov to tie for first place. 'In an impressive demonstration of character he won his third tiebreak of the year as well. He is deservedly the new number four in the chess world and the highest rated player in India,' he concluded.
News18
16-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
‘Magnus Carlsen Is Still a Level Above, But We're Closing In'
Last Updated: In an exclusive interview, chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa opens up on chasing Magnus Carlsen, his 2025 success, India's chess boom, and his path to the Candidates Tournament. In the increasingly crowded arena of global chess, R Praggnanandhaa stands out—not just for his youth, but for his quiet confidence and an ever-growing list of achievements that belie his age. The 18-year-old from Chennai has emerged as one of India's brightest stars, steadily carving his place among the elite while carrying the weight of a chess revolution unfolding back home. Fresh off a strong showing at the Stepan Avagyan Memorial in Armenia, where he finished tied on points with compatriot Aravindh Chidambaram, Praggnanandhaa remains unfazed by the thin margins that separate victory from second place. 'I scored +4, which is quite good in this field," he says matter-of-factly. 'In the end, I finished second because of the tiebreak, but I don't really care too much about whether it's first or second. For me, I played well and tried for first place." It's this grounded outlook that seems to fuel his steady ascent. Earlier this year, Praggnanandhaa joined an exclusive club, becoming only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win the prestigious Tata Steel Chess tournament. 'Starting the year like that gave me a lot of confidence, especially after having a rough year previously," he reflects. 'That boost was much needed." Responding to Carlsen: Young Stars Are Closing the Gap But even as his personal milestones accumulate, Praggnanandhaa is acutely aware of the larger conversation in world chess, particularly following Magnus Carlsen's recent comments questioning whether anyone is ready to succeed him at the top. 'The older players have more experience for sure," Praggnanandhaa concedes, but he is quick to defend the rising generation. 'We're improving rapidly, and young players are already achieving great results. Maybe we're not completely at their level yet, but we're very close." So far in 2025, Praggnanandhaa has made a conscious shift in his approach. 'I've tried to be more ambitious and fight for that extra half point in every game," he explains. 'This year, I'm scoring more wins compared to last year when I was making too many draws. Now, I'm fighting much more than I used to." With qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament firmly in his sights, Praggnanandhaa's calendar is packed. 'This year is all about qualifying for the Candidates Tournament next year," he says. Upcoming events include the UzChess Cup in Tashkent, the Grand Chess Tour Rapid in Croatia, and the Freestyle tournament in Las Vegas—all in quick succession. 'It's a very tight schedule." Chennai's Chess Factory: Anand's Legacy and Local Competition Amidst this whirlwind, Praggnanandhaa remains both a product and a symbol of India's astonishing chess boom. 'First and foremost is Anand Sir. Without him, chess wouldn't be as big in India," he says with gratitude. 'I started playing when he was world champion, and he's always been someone I look up to." Now, having the opportunity to occasionally discuss chess directly with Anand is, for Praggnanandhaa, 'a great learning experience." India's chess ecosystem, once nascent, is now flourishing thanks to a combination of factors: frequent domestic tournaments, a wealth of academies and coaches, and strong intra-country competition. 'The competition within India itself is very strong, which prepares players well for international events," he explains. 'We have so many underrated players that even foreigners who come to play in Indian open tournaments often find it tough." Financial backing has also played a crucial role in supporting India's young grandmasters. For Praggnanandhaa, corporate support has been game-changing. 'The biggest help is that I can train with more people and have my seconds travel with me to tournaments," he says, crediting Adani [Sportsline] Group for enabling him to set up a professional team. 'All these things—training camps, seconds, and travel—are more expensive than people realize. Having a sponsor like Adani Group takes care of these aspects so I can fully focus on improving my game." Chennai, often dubbed the 'chess capital of India," continues to produce top-level players, and Praggnanandhaa offers a personal anecdote that illustrates how local heroes can inspire the next generation. 'In 2012, when Anand Sir won the world championship match against Gelfand, my school took me to the airport to welcome him. That moment inspired me a lot. Within a month of meeting him, I won the Asian U9 Championship." Family Ties: Crucial Parental and Sibling Support Family too, has been his anchor. His sister Vaishali is herself an accomplished chess player, and the two often exchange ideas despite their busy, often overlapping schedules. 'While I was playing in Armenia, my sister was playing in Norway, but we still managed to talk and share ideas whenever possible," he says with a smile. 'Of course, sometimes I steal her ideas and vice versa." Behind the scenes, the support of his parents remains foundational. 'Their support is everything. Without them, it wouldn't be possible for me to be here," he says. His mother travels with him to tournaments while his father manages things at home. 'Even when I'm away, my parents call me every day to check on me. They've always been there for me," he adds. About the Author Vineet Ramakrishnan Vineet R, an accomplished sports journalist with over 13 years of experience in digital media, currently serves as the Associate Editor - Sports at CricketNext and News18 Sports. With a specialization in More News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Chess India Magnus Carlsen R Praggnanandhaa Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 12, 2025, 12:38 IST News sports R Praggnanandhaa EXCLUSIVE | 'Magnus Carlsen Is Still a Level Above, But We're Closing In'
