Tashkent | June 27, 2025 — In a dramatic display of skill and nerve, 19‑year‑old Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa secured his place at the top of Indian chess by defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov with Black in the final round of the UzChess Cup Masters. The win pushed him to 2778.3 on live ratings, elevating him to World No. 4 and placing him ahead of compatriots like Gukesh and Arjun
Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious from a field of ten elite masters, including Ian Nepomniachtchi, Richard Rapport, and Abdusattorov After nine rounds, three players were tied at 5.5 points. Pragg’s win with Black was crucial to force a three-way tiebreak.
In the rapid playoffs, Praggnanandhaa showcased extraordinary resilience, winning the final tiebreak to claim the title. As Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand noted, “In an impressive demonstration of character he won his third tiebreak of the year… He is deservedly the new number four in the chess world and the highest rated player in India.”
By clinching India’s No. 1 spot and rising to World No. 4, Praggnanandhaa has not only etched his name into history, but also inspired the next generation of Indian chess talent. With his dynamic style and recent string of victories, he is poised to remain a central figure in global chess for years to come.
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