Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the 19-year-old Indian chess grandmaster, has recently achieved a monumental milestone in his career, becoming India's No. 1 chess player. This feat was accomplished after winning the UzChess Cup Masters in dramatic fashion, defeating Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final round. With this victory, Praggnanandhaa's live rating surged to 2778.3, elevating him to World No. 4 in the live classical chess rankings. This places him ahead of reigning world champion D. Gukesh, who is fifth with a rating of 2776.6, and Arjun Erigaisi, who holds the sixth position with 2775.7.

Behind this success story is R.B. Ramesh, Praggnanandhaa's longtime trainer. In a recent interview, Ramesh revealed key strategies and insights that have contributed to Praggnanandhaa's rise. While the specific "big secret" mentioned in the title isn't explicitly detailed, the interview sheds light on the changes implemented to elevate Praggnanandhaa's game.

Ramesh emphasized that Praggnanandhaa's 2024 was a "normal year" where his rating remained relatively stagnant. To break through this plateau, they focused on making changes to his style and approach, encouraging him to adopt a more aggressive playing style. This shift has yielded significant results in 2025, with Praggnanandhaa already securing three major tournament wins.

Ramesh also highlighted the importance of the healthy rivalry between Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and Erigaisi. He noted that the success of one player motivates the others to work harder and strive for excellence. This competitive environment has been instrumental in pushing the entire Indian chess contingent to the top of the world rankings.

Praggnanandhaa's victory at the UzChess Cup Masters was particularly remarkable, as he secured the title with black pieces against Abdusattorov, demonstrating his skill and composure under pressure. This win not only earned him the top spot in India but also positioned him as a strong contender for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Viswanathan Anand, India's first grandmaster and a five-time world champion, praised Praggnanandhaa's achievement, acknowledging his impressive character and resilience. Anand's support and inspiration have been invaluable to Praggnanandhaa, who expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt response.

Praggnanandhaa's success is a testament to his talent, hard work, and the guidance of his coach, R.B. Ramesh. The changes implemented in his playing style, combined with the healthy competition among India's top young players, have propelled him to the forefront of the chess world. As India's new No. 1, Praggnanandhaa carries the hopes of a nation and inspires a new generation of chess players.