In a remarkable feat, teenage Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa secured a decisive victory over world champion Ding Liren of China in the fourth round of the Tata Steel Chess Tournament. The win not only elevated the 18-year-old to third place in the standings with 2.5 points in the Masters event but also propelled him to surpass the legendary Viswanathan Anand as the top-rated Indian player in the FIDE live ratings.
With a FIDE rating of 2748.3 points, Praggnanandhaa edged past Anand's 2748 points, marking a significant milestone in his young career. This victory, achieved with the black pieces in a 62-move encounter, made Praggnanandhaa the second Indian player after Anand to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess.
Expressing his joy after the match, Praggnanandhaa stated, "That feels good!" The young grandmaster had previously defeated Ding Liren at the 2023 Tata Steel tournament, showcasing his consistent prowess on the international chess stage.
Praggnanandhaa's recent achievements include finishing as the runner-up in the World Cup, earning him a spot in the upcoming Candidates tournament in April, where the challenger to Ding Liren will be determined.
In the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Dutch player Anish Giri emerged as the sole leader after securing victory against Indian GM D Gukesh, accumulating 3.5 points. Alireza Firouzja is half a point behind Giri with 3 points. Another Indian participant, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, managed a draw against Jorden Van Foreest, securing 2 points from four rounds.
In the upcoming fifth round, Praggnanandhaa is set to face the tournament leader Anish Giri, while Gukesh and Gujrathi will compete against Ian Nepomniachtchi and Max Warmerdam, respectively. The Indian contingent continues to make waves in the prestigious tournament, showcasing their talent and resilience on the global chess stage.
(With Agency Inputs)
