India’s Rising Dominance in the World of Chess

India’s Chess Dominance: New Stars Shine Bright

India’s presence in the world of chess has seen a remarkable rise in recent years, with a new generation of players emerging as global contenders. Gone are the days when Viswanathan Anand was the sole face of Indian chess, as his influence has inspired a wave of talented youngsters to take up the game as a sport and a career. Today, India boasts a lineup of world-class players who are making their mark on the international stage.

According to the FIDE Classical Rankings, India’s top players are Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh, who currently hold the 4th and 5th positions, respectively. Joining them are R Praggnanandhaa, Aravindh Chithambaram, and Vidit Gujrathi, who rank 13th, 23rd, and 24th, showcasing India’s growing dominance in the world of chess.

“It’s possible that at every single tournament there is an Indian playing, whom you can look forward to watching. Imagine every morning you wake up and see a tournament and there is something to root for. The audience numbers are very good; we have regular broadcast… a lot of the dots have been connected,” said Viswanathan Anand at a recent event in Bengaluru.

The camaraderie among these players is evident, with a mix of rivalry and friendship driving them to push each other to greater heights. “These players have all grown up together. The rivalry is also there along with the friendship. They seem genuinely happy for each other, but they are very motivated to achieve the same thing or take it even higher. If this continues, it is fantastic for India,” added Anand.

With a new generation of chess stars shining bright, India’s dominance in the game is set to continue, with the country’s players poised to compete against the best in the world and make their mark on the global stage.