In a significant shift in the Indian chess landscape, R Praggnanandhaa has surpassed reigning world champion D Gukesh in the live FIDE rankings as of June 21, 2025. This achievement marks a personal milestone for the young grandmaster and a notable change in the national rankings, with Praggnanandhaa now holding the title of India No. 2, while Gukesh moves to the third position.

Praggnanandhaa's live rating has climbed to 2777.2, slightly ahead of Gukesh's 2776.6. Arjun Erigaisi remains the top-ranked Indian player with a rating of 2780.7. This places Praggnanandhaa at seventh in the world, according to live ratings. The 19-year-old is currently competing in the UzChess Cup Masters in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, a tournament hosted by the Uzbekistan Chess Federation. After a draw in the opening round, Praggnanandhaa secured a victory in the second round against Uzbekistan's Shamsiddin Vokhidov, putting him in a tie for the lead in the tournament standings with 1.5 points, alongside Arjun Erigaisi and others.

This reshuffling in rankings reflects the intense competition and rising standards within Indian chess. Just recently, there were four Indian players among the world's top ten, including Aravindh Chithambaram, highlighting India's growing presence in the global chess arena. This accomplishment is even more noteworthy considering the historical dominance of Viswanathan Anand, who has been a mainstay as India's top player for over three decades.

Praggnanandhaa's recent form has been impressive, with a notable win against Gukesh at the TATA Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee earlier this year. He secured the title after a tense tiebreaker. Looking ahead, Praggnanandhaa seems focused on continuous improvement and performance at major events.

Gukesh, despite being overtaken in the rankings, remains a formidable force. As the reigning World Chess Champion, a title he claimed in December 2024 by defeating Ding Liren, Gukesh has already etched his name in chess history. At 18 years old, Gukesh became the youngest undisputed world champion, surpassing Garry Kasparov's previous record. He was also the youngest player to cross a FIDE rating of 2750 and the third-youngest to surpass 2700 Elo.

Viswanathan Anand, the veteran of Indian chess, currently holds the India No. 5 spot. Anand's contribution to Indian chess is immense, having inspired generations of players and popularizing the game in the country. He became India's first grandmaster in 1988 and has won numerous accolades, including five World Chess Championships.

The rise of young talents like Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh, along with the continued presence of established players like Arjun Erigaisi and Viswanathan Anand, underscores the strength and depth of Indian chess today. The average rating of the top 10 active Indian chess players is among the highest in the world. With a growing pool of talented players and increased opportunities for international competition, the future of Indian chess looks bright.