Indian Chess Players Make Significant Gains in Latest FIDE Ratings List

Indian chess players Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram have made significant gains in the latest FIDE ratings list, with Erigaisi regaining the fourth spot and Chithambaram moving to the 11th spot for the first time in his career. Reigning world champion D Gukesh remains the highest-ranked Indian at third.

Erigaisi gained five rating points to inch closer to Gukesh, while Chithambaram achieved his career-best ranking after his triumph in the Prague Chess Masters. The two Grandmasters were among the gainers in the latest ratings update, with Erigaisi climbing to fourth with five rating points and Chithambaram making a major leap to 11th with 18 points.

Five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen continues to lead the list with a rating of 2,837, followed by Hikaru Nakamura at second with a rating of 2,804. Gukesh holds the third spot with a rating of 2,787, closely followed by Erigaisi at 2,782. American GM Fabiano Caruana slipped to fifth after losing seven rating points.

R Praggnanandhaa is the only other Indian in the top-10, currently in seventh place with a rating of 2,758. Chithambaram’s victory in the Prague Masters propelled him to his career-best ranking, showcasing his potential in the world of chess.

In the women’s ratings, GM Koneru Humpy remains the only Indian in the top-10, occupying the sixth spot with a rating of 2,528. Chinese players dominate the top spots, with Hou Yifan and Wenjun Ju leading the pack. Other Indian players like Harika Dronavalli, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh also feature in the updated ratings list.

Overall, Indian chess players continue to make their mark on the international stage, with impressive performances and rankings in the latest FIDE ratings update.