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Praggnanandhaa Clinches UzChess Cup and Becomes India’s Top-Ranked Chess Player.

Appointment | Dated: 29 Jun 2025

In late June 2025, Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa won the UzChess Cup Masters in Tashkent after a thrilling finale and tiebreaks. This win pushed his live FIDE rating to 2778.3, making him both a Top‑4 player globally and India’s highest‑rated chess player.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - Praggnanandhaa clinched the title after edging out rivals Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov in gripping blitz tiebreaks. The classical tournament itself ended with a three-way tie at 5.5/9, but Pragg triumphed in the sudden-death playoff, showcasing nerves of steel and exceptional tactical precision.
  • - His final-round classical clash against Abdusattorov was decisive—Pragg played brilliantly with the Black pieces, turning his position into a dramatic win to force the tiebreaks. He also overcame GM Arjun Erigaisi in an earlier round, reflecting both resilience and strategic clarity.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) With live FIDE rating soaring to 2778.3, Praggnanandhaa overtook compatriot GM D Gukesh (2776.6) and reached World No. 4—the highest-ever global and national live ranking by an Indian since Viswanathan Anand.
  • (ii) This marks his third major classical tournament victory in 2025, following his wins at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee and the Superbet Chess Classic Romania. Each title was clinched via intense tiebreaks—highlighting his unique clutch performance under pressure.
  • (iii) India’s chess community and leaders, including former world champion Viswanathan Anand and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin, lauded Pragg’s victory. Anand called it “an impressive demonstration of character,” underscoring its significance for Indian chess’s growing international stature.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Recently, who won the UzChess Cup Masters 2025, becoming India’s top-ranked chess player?

Correct Answer: R Praggnanandhaa

🚀 Quick Recap: