Teenage Sensation D Gukesh Overtakes Anand in Live Chess Rankings

NEW DELHI: India's emerging chess prodigy, Grandmaster D Gukesh, secured a memorable victory in the second round of the ongoing World Cup, propelling him to surpass the legendary Viswanathan Anand in the live world (FIDE) rankings. The young maestro's strategic triumph over Azerbaijan's Misratdin Iskandarov in a captivating 44-move match not only secured him a well-deserved win but also elevated his live rating to an impressive 2755.9. This notable achievement of earning two crucial points enabled Gukesh to leapfrog Anand and seize the coveted title of World No. 9, relegating Anand, a five-time world champion, to the tenth spot.

Anand's dominance as India's premier chess player had persisted for decades, as he maintained his top-ranking status since 1987 and initially entered the global top 10 in July 1991. However, Gukesh's meteoric rise in the chess world has brought a shift in the Indian chess hierarchy. The International Chess Federation confirmed Gukesh's ascent in the rankings and projected that he is on track to become the highest-rated Indian player when the next FIDE rating list is unveiled on September 1.

The International Chess Federation expressed their anticipation of Gukesh's continued progress, stating, "Gukesh D won again today and has overcome Viswanathan Anand in live rating! There is still almost a month till the next official FIDE rating list on September 1, but it's highly likely that the 17-year-old will be making it to top 10 in the world as the highest-rated Indian player!"

Looking ahead, Gukesh is set to face S L Narayanan in the upcoming third round, further adding to the excitement surrounding his journey in the tournament. Remarkably, Gukesh is not the sole Indian participant to advance to the third round. Several other Indian talents have also made their mark in the competition. In the women's section, Harika Dronavalli and R Vaishali displayed their prowess by storming into the third round. Meanwhile, in the men's section, GM R Praggnanandhaa, boasting a Maxime Lagarde title, and Nihal Sarin have also secured their places in the third round, showcasing the depth of India's chess talent.

As the chess world witnesses Gukesh's rise and Anand's historic legacy, the dynamics of Indian chess are undergoing a captivating transformation. With Gukesh's exceptional performance, the Indian chess community eagerly anticipates his future achievements and his potential to become India's premier chess player on the global stage.

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