In the dynamic world of elite chess, positions at the top can shift with surprising speed, particularly among the incredibly talented pool of young Indian Grandmasters. The latest significant change sees 19-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa ascend to the position of India`s number one player in classical chess, moving ahead of his peer and reigning World Champion, D. Gukesh. This rise wasn`t merely a matter of accumulating rating points; it appears to be rooted in a profound internal transformation.
At the close of the previous year, Praggnanandhaa reportedly expressed dissatisfaction with his performance level, recognizing a need for improvement. This self-assessment wasn`t directed solely at refining tactical acuity or opening repertoires. Instead, the significant enhancement has manifested in his mental approach to the game. The shift involves cultivating a stronger resolve to fight for victory in every game and maintaining pressure even when circumstances are challenging, extending this resilience across entire tournaments.
The results of this renewed mindset have been tangible and impressive in 2025. Praggnanandhaa has secured three major titles: the Tata Steel Chess Masters, the Superbet Chess Classic, and most recently, the UzChess Cup. These victories weren`t typically wire-to-wire finishes; they often involved navigating turbulent waters and demonstrating remarkable tenacity.
The UzChess Cup provides a particularly vivid illustration. With just two rounds remaining, Praggnanandhaa trailed the leader by a substantial 1.5 points. His path to contention involved facing two of the tournament`s toughest opponents consecutively. Rather than succumbing to the pressure or calculating distant title probabilities, his focus remained singular: play a strong game against the immediate opponent. Winning his penultimate game provided a critical opening, which, combined with other favorable results, created an unlikely path to a tie-break after winning his final game against the former leader.
This ability to seize opportunities and perform under pressure has been a hallmark of his year, especially in faster tie-break formats. He notably overcame World Champion Gukesh in a blitz tie-break at Tata Steel and prevailed in a three-way rapid tie-break in Romania. While acknowledging the role of fortune in tie-breaks – remarking with a touch of dry understatement on escaping difficult positions in Uzbekistan – Praggnanandhaa emphasizes that the journey to reach those critical junctures, often requiring wins with the Black pieces against top-tier opposition, is what truly reflects his current form and fighting spirit.
Despite his status as India`s highest-ranked classical player and world number four, Praggnanandhaa maintains a grounded perspective. He understands the fluidity of rankings among the elite, noting that a single game can alter positions. His focus remains on sustained high-level play and seizing opportunities on the path towards the ultimate goal: contention for the World Championship title.
Currently leading the FIDE Circuit standings for 2025, a strong finish could secure him a coveted spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament. However, with a demanding schedule including the upcoming Grand Chess Tour in Croatia, the Sinquefield Cup, and other events like the FIDE Grand Swiss and World Cup later in the year, there is much chess yet to be played. Praggnanandhaa`s trajectory suggests that his most formidable improvements are currently happening not just on the 64 squares, but within his own approach to the competitive grind. If his newfound mental fortitude persists, the chess world may well witness the continued ascent of India`s newest number one.
Finley Holt