FIDE Releases First Ranking List of 2025: Arjun Erigaisi Maintains 4th Spot, Gukesh Dommaraju Ranks 5th

In a thrilling start to the new year, Indian chess prodigies Arjun Erigaisi and Gukesh Dommaraju have made their mark in the international chess scene. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) released its first ranking list of 2025, and Erigaisi maintained his impressive rating of 2801, securing the fourth spot. On the other hand, newly-crowned World Classical World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju has entered the rankings at the fifth position, showcasing his exceptional talent on the global stage.

Erigaisi, only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to achieve a rating of 2800 in classical chess, is just one ELO point behind American Hikaru Nakamura, who holds the third spot with a rating of 2802. Meanwhile, Gukesh, who recently clinched the World Championship title by defeating China’s Ding Liren, has earned a rating of 2783, placing him among the top five players in the world.

The Indian chess contingent has further strengthened its presence in the top rankings, with five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand securing the 10th position with a rating of 2750. Additionally, players like Praggnanandhaa, VR Aravindh Chithambaram, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, Pentala Harikrishna, Nihal Sarin, and Raunak Sadhwani have also made their mark in the top 50 rankings, reflecting the healthy state of Indian chess.

In the women’s section, Chinese players dominate the top spots, with former World Champion Hou Yifan leading the pack. However, India’s Koneru Humpy has secured the sixth position with a rating of 2523, showcasing the strong presence of Indian women in the international chess arena.

With promising talents like Gukesh and Erigaisi making waves in the chess world, India’s future in the sport looks bright. As these young players continue to inspire the next generation of chess enthusiasts, the country’s dominance in global chess competitions is set to reach unprecedented heights.