Not Praggnanandhaa, 17-year-old ends Vishy Anand's 37-year-long reign as India chess No.1

With the start of September, a new dawn has welcomed the Indian Chess Fraternity. The 37-year-long rule of 5-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand has ended as a 17-year-old sensation has emerged to become the new India No.1. While R Praggnanandha is all over the place with a spectacular show in the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023, and it may come as a surprise but it is not Pragg who has superseded Anand, rather a counterpart of his has done it.

3 things you need to know

• Recently, India's R Prggnanandhaa reached the final of the FIDE Chess World Cup
• Pragg lost to Magnus Carlsen in the final
• Chess is getting newfound recognition in India

Also Read | Union sports minister Anurag Thakur felicitates chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa - WATCH

India's D Gukesh makes his way into the Top-10 of FIDE Rankings

After a decade Chess has become the subject of intrigue of the citizens, and the reason behind it is the success of the new generation. In the recently culminated Chess World Cup, 4 out of the 8 quarterfinalists were Indians and while Praggnanandhaa reached the final to become a household name, it is D Gukesh, who has soared to the extent in the FIDE rankings as an Indian. As per the updated rankings, Gukesh is the new number 8 in the classical Chess Rankings, edging out Anand, who is in the 9th spot.

In the World Cup, Gukesh reached the quarterfinal stage, where the World No.1 and eventual champion of the tournament, Magnus Carlsen ended his campaign. Though, Gukesh lost, but his skill was acknowledged by Magnus following the match. Carlsen was off the view that Gukesh was playing brilliantly and it was unfortunate that he also cut out a focused approach.

Also Read | 'Had very special visitors at 7 LKM': PM Modi meets R Praggnanandhaa and his family

Acknowledgement from FIDE

Nevertheless, with his performance in classical the player has reached the pinnacle of Indian Chess, leaving none other than Vishy Anand behind. The X account of the International Chess Federation acknowledged the achievement of Gukesh and congratulated him on becoming the new No.1 of India.

So, with Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujarathi, Nihal Sarin, etc. all rising to the scene, the future of Chess is abound with glory. What do you think?