Praggnanandhaa achieves one other historic feat after profitable UzChess Cup Masters, gathering third title of 12 months

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has been having fairly the stellar run to date in 2025, having gained the Tata Metal Chess event in Netherlands in February in addition to Superbet Chess Basic Romania final month. On Friday, ‘Pragg’ added one other feat to the gathering – profitable the UzChess Cup Masters 2025 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

And what makes this feat much more spectacular is the truth that the 19-year-old triumphed over a few of the main gamers on the earth, together with compatriots Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram in addition to residence favourites Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov. Additionally a part of the stable lineup had been Grandmasters Ian Nepomniachtchi, Richard Rapport and Parham Maghsoodloo.

Praggnanandhaa had completed degree on 5.5 factors with Javokhir and Nodirbek, defeating each Uzbekistani GMs together with Arjun, who completed fourth with 5 factors. All three gamers later completed degree on two factors within the first spherical of blitz tie-breaks.

Praggnanandhaa, nevertheless, sneaked forward within the second spherical of tie-breaks, the place he completed with 1.5 factors in comparison with 1 for Javokhir and 0.5 for Nodirbek.

“Wrapped up the #UzChessCup Masters with a win within the ultimate spherical and wins in tie breaks. Tiebreaks had been loopy certainly,” Praggnanandhaa wrote in a submit on X after his victory in Tashkent.

“Grateful for all of the assist that I’ve obtained to date. Onto my subsequent problem to Croatia,” he added, referring to the SuperUnited Croatia Speedy & Blitz event in Zagreb which is a part of the Grand Chess Tour and will get underway on 2 July.

Wrapped up the #UzChessCup Masters with a win within the ultimate spherical and wins in tie breaks. Tiebreaks had been loopy certainly.

Grateful for all of the assist that I’ve obtained to date.
Onto my subsequent problem to Croatia. pic.twitter.com/Vrlj8Dgjus

— Praggnanandhaa (@rpraggnachess) June 27, 2025

Praggnanandhaa overtakes Gukesh and Arjun

The enjoyment of profitable his third title of the 12 months was made even sweeter by the truth that Praggnanandhaa has now surpassed each Gukesh and Arjun to develop into the top-ranked Indian on the newest stay rankings. Praggnanandhaa has a stay ranking of 2778.3, inserting him on the fourth spot forward of reigning world champion Gukesh (2776.6) and Arjun (2775.7).

The highest three spots are occupied by Norwegian chess icon Magnus Carlsen (2839.2) in addition to veteran American GMs Hikaru Nakamura (2807) and Fabiano Caruna (2784.2).

The identical, nevertheless, can’t be mentioned of the FIDE rankings, the place Arjun and Gukesh stay the one Indians inside the highest 5 at third and fifth respectively, with Praggnanandhaa the third Indian contained in the top-10 at seventh.

Whereas the FIDE rankings are up to date each month, the Stay rankings are up to date in actual time, usually inside a minute after the conclusion of a recreation.