R Praggnanandhaa triumphs over World Champion Ding Liren, surpassing Viswanathan Anand to become India's new top-ranked chess player.

In a remarkable turn of events, the sensational rise of 18-year-old Indian Grand Master R Praggnanandhaa continues to capture attention, as he now claims the title of India's highest-ranked chess player, surpassing the iconic Viswanathan Anand. This significant achievement unfolded during the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands, where Praggnanandhaa secured a monumental victory over world champion Ding Liren in the fourth round.

With this triumph, Praggnanandhaa's FIDE live rating soared to 2748.3 points, edging past Anand's 2748 points, marking a symbolic shift in the hierarchy of Indian chess. Notably, FIDE updates these ratings monthly, providing a dynamic snapshot of players' standings on the global stage. The victory against Ding Liren, secured with black pieces in 62 moves, solidified Praggnanandhaa's status as the second Indian, after Anand, to conquer a reigning world champion in classical chess.

This recent achievement adds another chapter to Praggnanandhaa's growing list of accomplishments. His prowess was showcased earlier at the Tata Steel Masters in 2023 when he also defeated Ding Liren, displaying remarkable consistency. Beyond this, the Chennai-born prodigy's success extends to the previous year's World Cup, where he emerged as the runner-up to Magnus Carlsen, earning him a coveted spot in the upcoming Candidates tournament scheduled for April 2024.

Expressing his elation after the game, Praggnanandhaa remarked, "That feels good!" In the tournament standings, he currently holds the third position with 2.5 points. Anish Giri leads the Masters group, securing 3.5 points after defeating Indian GM D Gukesh. Alireza Firouzja follows closely with three points. Meanwhile, fellow Indian contender Vidit Santosh Gujrathi settled for a draw against Jorden Van Foreest in the fourth round, accumulating two points from four rounds.

Looking ahead, Praggnanandhaa is poised for an intriguing face-off against Giri in the fifth round, while Gukesh and Vidit are set to confront Ian Nepomniachtchi and Max Warmerdam, respectively. The tournament's landscape promises further excitement as these chess prodigies continue to make their mark on the global stage.