At just 19 years old, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has achieved a remarkable feat: claiming the title of India`s top-ranked classical chess player. This elevation, surpassing his peer and the current world champion, D. Gukesh, caps off a transformative period for the young Grandmaster in 2025. While it feels slightly peculiar to discuss a “resurgence” for someone so young, the narrative of Praggnanandhaa`s year is undeniably one of stepping up to a new level.
Reflecting on the latter half of 2024, Praggnanandhaa had openly shared his dissatisfaction with his game quality. This self-assessment spurred a dedicated effort with his team, under the guidance of coach RB Ramesh, to refine his play. The results in 2025 speak volumes: three significant titles – the Tata Steel Chess Masters, the Superbet Chess Classic, and the recent UzChess Cup.
While technical chess remains the foundation, Praggnanandhaa himself identifies the most significant change as a shift in his mental framework. It wasn`t merely about calculating variations better, but cultivating a deeper resolve – a conscious desire to fight relentlessly in every game and persist even when positions appeared unfavorable or tournament standings looked bleak. This renewed mental fortitude has been the engine driving his success.
The UzChess Cup victory serves as a compelling case in point. Facing a deficit of 1.5 points behind the leader with only two rounds remaining, and scheduled to play two of the strongest competitors, the situation demanded extraordinary resilience. Praggnanandhaa`s focus wasn`t on the overall standing, but on executing the best possible game against Arjun Erigaisi. His victory there, coupled with favorable outcomes elsewhere, dramatically altered the landscape, propelling him into a tie-break scenario against Nodirbek Abdusattorov that he ultimately won. It underscores his newfound ability to seize opportunities forged through sheer determination.
This fighting spirit particularly manifests in tie-breaks, where swift, decisive play under pressure is key. Praggnanandhaa has demonstrated remarkable proficiency in faster time controls this year. He famously overcame world champion Gukesh in a blitz tie-break at Tata Steel and navigated a complex three-way playoff successfully in Romania. While he humbly acknowledges the role of luck, especially in overcoming difficult positions during tie-breaks at UzChess, his consistent performance in these high-tension formats highlights a mental edge.
Beyond rankings, Praggnanandhaa currently holds a strong position atop the FIDE Circuit standings for 2025. Success here could pave a direct route to the prestigious 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament. However, recognizing the dynamic nature of elite chess, he isn`t leaving qualification solely to the Circuit. Major events later in the year, such as the FIDE Grand Swiss and the World Cup (where he was a finalist in 2023), offer further direct qualification pathways that he is undoubtedly targeting.
His schedule reflects this ambition, appearing decidedly packed. Before the Grand Swiss, he`s set for the Grand Chess Tour event in Croatia, followed by the Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis, with Freestyle Chess and even the eSports World Cup interspersed. Joining Team Liquid for the eSports event means potentially sharing a virtual board with established stars like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana – an intriguing prospect, though he pragmatically notes the need to qualify first. This busy calendar, while perhaps craving some downtime, is a necessary commitment to staying sharp and maximizing opportunities.
Praggnanandhaa`s rise to India`s number one ranking is more than just a statistical update; it`s a testament to the power of mental transformation in competitive chess. His journey from reflecting on past performance to aggressively pursuing victory demonstrates a maturity and fighting spirit that positions him not just as India`s current leader, but as a formidable contender on the global stage for the foreseeable future. The path ahead remains challenging, but with this honed mindset, he appears well-equipped for the battles to come.
Dominic Ashworth