Rogers Ben | Cultural Headlines, Opinions & Deep Views

Anish Giri's witty remark on Praggnanandhaa becoming the World No.1 junior highlights the rise of young chess talents. Praggnanandhaa's UzChess Cup Masters 2025 victory, propelling him to World No.4 and India's top player, showcases his dominance. His dramatic win, praised by Viswanathan Anand, underscores his impressive character and solidifies his position as a leading force in chess.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has ascended to India's No. 1 chess player, securing the UzChess Cup Masters title by defeating Nodirbek Abdusattorov. This victory propelled his live rating to 2778.3, ranking him World No. 4 and surpassing World Chess Champion D Gukesh in live classical ratings. This triumph signifies a generational shift in Indian chess, marking Praggnanandhaa's arrival as the nation's new chess leader.