India’s Rising Chess Stars: Conquering the World One Move at a Time

India’s Young Grandmasters Conquer the World of Chess

The game of chess, believed to have originated in ancient India, has now seen a resurgence in the country with a new generation of young Grandmasters taking the world by storm. Among them is 18-year-old Dommaraju Gukesh, who is being hailed as a modern-day Alexander as he prepares to face off against Chinese world champion Ding Liren in a high-stakes battle later this year.

Gukesh is not alone in his conquests, as earlier it was Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, known as Praggs, who stunned experts with his brilliant performances. Alongside them is Vaishali, Praggs’ elder sister, who has also made her mark in the women’s category. Another rising star is Arjun Erigaisi, who, like Gukesh, hails from a Telugu-speaking family and has already achieved the coveted Grandmaster title.

India’s dominance in the world of chess is further solidified by players like Vidith Gujarathi and Aravindh Chithambaram, who boast ELO ratings above 2700. With an average ELO rating of above 2700 among the top ten players in India, the country’s prowess in chess is undeniable.

The achievements of these young Grandmasters have not gone unnoticed, with legends of the game such as Susan Polgar, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlssen praising their skills. Former world champion Kasparov, initially hesitant to praise Indian players, was impressed by Praggs’ performance and took to social media to commend the Indian youth.

Viswanathan Anand, the player who set the trend for Indian chess champions, has also shared words of wisdom for the aspiring young players following in his footsteps. As India continues to produce one champion after another, the future of chess in the country looks bright.

With a rich history of chess and a new generation of talented players, India is poised to continue its conquests on the global chess stage. As the young warriors of the game prepare for new battles, the world watches in awe at the rise of India’s chess empire.