In a captivating finale at the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent, teenage Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa stunned the global chess community by clinching the title and ascending to the No. 1 spot in India’s classical chess rankings.
The 19-year-old, affectionately known as Pragg, defeated Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov with Black in the final round, sealing the championship in dramatic tie-breaks. With this, he not only claimed his third title of the year but also surged ahead of reigning World Champion D Gukesh in live ratings.
According to the latest live ratings, Praggnanandhaa now boasts an Elo of 2778.3, placing him fourth globally—just above Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun Erigaisi (2775.7). He trails only behind Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana, making him a solid fixture among the world’s elite.
The path to victory was anything but smooth. Praggnanandhaa tied at 5.5 points alongside Javokhir Sindarov and Abdusattorov at the end of regulation play. But it was in the blitz tie-breaks where he proved his mettle, outscoring both rivals with nerves of steel.
“Wrapped up the #UzChessCup Masters with a win in the final round and wins in tie breaks. Tiebreaks were crazy indeed,” the young star posted on X, expressing gratitude and looking ahead to his next challenge in Croatia.
The Indian chess community erupted in celebration. Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand lauded Pragg’s grit, noting that his Uzbekistan victory—arguably the most improbable of the year—was a testament to his perseverance and talent.
With wins earlier this year at Tata Steel and Superbet Classic Romania, Praggnanandhaa’s rise reflects a historic moment for Indian chess. His performance under pressure and continued ascent suggest that he is not just the face of India’s next chess generation, but also a formidable presence on the world stage.
As he prepares for the SuperUnited Croatia Rapid & Blitz tournament, all eyes are on the Chennai-born phenom. Will Pragg’s fairytale 2025 continue? The chessboard awaits.
