The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially released its latest world rankings for July 2025, bringing a notable shift at the top of India`s classical chess hierarchy. Young Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has achieved a significant milestone, ascending to become the nation`s highest-rated classical player.
Praggnanandhaa`s impressive performance places him at World No. 4 in the classical ratings with a rating of 2779. This move sees him overtake the legendary Viswanathan Anand, who now stands at World No. 13 with a rating of 2743. The transition marks a symbolic moment, highlighting the rise of the next generation of Indian chess talent stepping up to lead the national ranks previously dominated by the five-time World Champion.
India`s Growing Presence in the Global Top 25
The July rankings underscore the burgeoning strength of Indian chess, particularly in the open classical category. Following closely behind Praggnanandhaa are Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh, both tied at World No. 5/6 with identical ratings of 2776. The presence of three young Indian players in the global top 6 is a testament to the country`s rapidly developing chess ecosystem. Viswanathan Anand remains a formidable force at No. 13, while Aravindh Chithambaram also features in the top 25 at No. 24 with a rating of 2724, further solidifying India`s strong representation.
Across other formats, Indian players continue to show their prowess. In Rapid chess, Viswanathan Anand is the top-ranked Indian at No. 11 (2727), with Arjun Erigaisi at No. 16 (2708) and Nihal Sarin at No. 25 (2688). The Blitz rankings see Arjun Erigaisi at No. 13 (2750), R Praggnanandhaa at No. 17 (2734), and Viswanathan Anand at No. 18 (2732), showcasing their versatility in faster time controls.
Indian Women Making Their Mark
The women`s rankings also feature strong Indian representation. In Classical chess, Konery Humpy leads the Indian contingent at World No. 5 (2536). She is joined in the top 25 by Harika Dronavalli at No. 12 (2488), R Vaishali at No. 15 (2478), and Divya Deshmukh at No. 18 (2463). This consistent presence indicates a healthy competitive environment among India`s leading female players.
Konery Humpy also holds the top Indian spot in the Rapid rankings at No. 10 (2446). Harika Dronavalli is No. 13 (2433), and Divya Deshmukh is No. 22 (2395). In Blitz, Konery Humpy is No. 10 (2418), R Vaishali is No. 12 (2400), Harika Dronavalli is No. 17 (2389), and Divya Deshmukh is No. 18 (2388).
Global Leaders Maintain Dominance
Globally, Magnus Carlsen of Norway continues his reign at the top of all three Open formats: Classical (2839), Rapid (2819), and Blitz (2883). In the women`s sections, Hou Yifan of China is the leading player in Classical (2633) and Blitz (2500), while her compatriot Ju Wenjun tops the Rapid list (2542).
The July 2025 FIDE rankings paint a clear picture of both global consistency at the very summit and significant national shifts, particularly highlighting the impressive and rapid ascent of young Indian talent in classical chess.
Dominic Ashworth