Have you ever played the game of chess in your life? Which name comes to your mind when we talk about chess? Is it Viswanathan Anand! That’s pretty natural as the chess legend’s name is synonymous with the game ever since he burst onto the scene in the Nineties.
But guess what, we have a new champ on the block – D Gukesh. Yes, you heard it right- the 17-year-old chess prodigy has surpassed grandmaster Viswanathan Anand to become India’s top-ranked chess player in the live world rankings.
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, D Gukesh achieved an impressive feat by defeating Mistradin Iskandarov in the second round of the FIDE World Cup. The victory propelled him to reach a live rating of 2755.9, elevating him to the 9th position in the classic open category of the world rankings. As a result, he surpassed grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, who currently holds a rating of 2754.0, causing Anand to drop to the 10th spot. It is worth noting that this marks only the second time since 1986 that Anand has been displaced from the topmost position among Indian chess players. Gukesh’s accomplishment highlights his exceptional talent and potential in the world of chess.
Born on May 29, 2006, D Gukesh has achieved several remarkable accomplishments in chess, including becoming the world’s second-youngest grandmaster at the age of 12 years.
In a brilliant display of chess mastery, Gukesh demonstrated his skills during the second round of the FIDE World Cup, where he outplayed Iskandarov in an impressive 44-move game. This victory earned him 2.5 International Chess Federation (FIDE) points. As a result, he surpassed his idol, Anand, in the live rankings. This achievement solidifies Gukesh’s position as a rising star in the chess world and highlights his potential for a bright future in the game.
In the upcoming end-of-the-month ratings list, Gukesh is set to achieve a significant milestone by breaking into the top 10 ranks for the first time. The achievement marks a remarkable and rapid ascent for the teenage prodigy, who entered the top 100 rankings at the end of April 2022. Before Gukesh, only two other Indians accomplished this feat. One of them is Pentala Harikrishna, who briefly surpassed Anand in the live ratings back in 2016. Gukesh’s impressive progress underscores his extraordinary talent and potential in the world of chess, making him one of India’s most promising chess players.
In July, Gukesh accomplished yet another extraordinary feat by becoming the youngest chess player in history to surpass the 2750 mark in live ratings. This achievement surpassed a record previously held by the five-time World Champion, Magnus Carlsen. Currently ranked as the World No. 1 since July 2011, Carlsen maintains a live rating of 2838.4. Following closely behind is Fabiano Caruana from the US, holding a rating of 2786.4. Gukesh’s rapid rise and ability to achieve such a remarkable milestone at a young age showcase his immense talent and potential, making him a player to watch out for in the world of chess.
When Anand achieved a breakthrough in the top-10 rankings, India had no other grandmasters to boast of. However, the chess scene in India has undergone a remarkable transformation since then. Presently, India boasts a thriving chess community with over 80 grandmasters, showcasing the country’s significant progress in the chess world. Notably, some of the youngest grandmasters have emerged from India, and they are now among the top 30 players globally. This remarkable growth reflects India’s increasing prominence in the international chess arena and the tremendous talent that continues to emerge from the country.
