D Gukesh Becomes India’s No. 1 Chess Player, Overtakes Arjun Erigaisi in FIDE Rankings

D Gukesh, the 18-year-old chess prodigy, has made headlines once again by rising to become India’s No. 1 chess player, dethroning his compatriot Arjun Erigaisi. Gukesh’s remarkable victory at the Tata Steel Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, where he defeated Germany’s Vincent Keymer, propelled him to the fourth spot in the latest FIDE rankings.

Gukesh’s latest triumph has boosted his rating to 2784 points, surpassing Erigaisi, who had held the title of India’s highest-ranked player for a long time. Erigaisi, now in fifth place with 2779.5 points, has been overshadowed by Gukesh’s meteoric rise in the chess world.

Meanwhile, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen continues to reign as the undisputed World No. 1 with 2832.5 points, followed by American Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana.

Gukesh’s ascent to the top can be attributed to his exceptional performance in 2023, where he clinched the World Chess Championship title by defeating China’s Ding Liren in Singapore. Despite skipping the World Rapid and Blitz Championship in New York, Gukesh has made a strong comeback in the Tata Steel Tournament, remaining unbeaten with two victories and three draws.

On the other hand, Erigaisi, who reached a career-high rating of 2801 in December, has struggled in the current tournament, earning only one point so far. His lackluster performance in the World Rapid and Blitz Championship has left him with little to show for his efforts.

With Gukesh now leading the charge as India’s top-ranked player, the chess world eagerly anticipates how the young talent will continue to evolve and challenge the global elite. Stay tuned for more updates on Gukesh’s journey in the world of chess.