News: Praggnanandhaa reached the finals of the World Chess Championship 2023 after defeating Fabiano Caruana. He set the world record for the youngest player ever to reach the final of WCC at the age of 18 years. This also booked his undisputed ticket to the candidates, where he will be competing for the World Chess Champion title in April 2024 in Toronto Canada!
India is booming at chess at a global level. Indian chess players are making a name for themselves throughout the world dominating the game of chess. We have compiled a resource of the latest Elo ratings and everything you need to know about your famous chess players in India in 2023.
| Top 15 Chess Grandmaster, India | Rating |
|---|---|
| 1. Anand, Viswanathan | 2754 |
| 2. Gukesh D | 2751 |
| 3. Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi | 2723 |
| 4. Harikrishna, Pentala | 2711 |
| 5. Praggnanandhaa R | 2707 |
| 6. Erigaisi Arjun | 2704 |
| 7. Nihal Sarin | 2684 |
| 8. Narayanan. S.L | 2656 |
| 9. Aravindh, Chithambaram VR. | 2645 |
| 8. Aryan Chopra | 2641 |
| 11. Mendonca, Leon Luke | 2628 |
| 12. Gupta, Abhijeet | 2625 |
| 13. Sadhwani, Raunak | 2624 |
| 14. Karthikeyan, Murali | 2618 |
| 15. Negi, Parimarjan | 2616 |
01. Viswanathan Anand
Standard 2754
Rapid 2731
Blitz 2733
Grand Master, Deputy President FIDE
Achievements
- India’s first and only world champion (2007 – 12).
- The only Indian player to have crossed the 2800 FIDE rating.
Awards
Chess Oscar (2008, 2007, 2004), Padma Shri (1988), CNN-IBN Indian of the Year (2012), CNN-IBN Indian of the Year in Sports (2012, 2007), Padma Vibhushan (2008), Padma Bhushan (2001), Arjuna Award for Chess (1985)
Bio
Viswanathan Anand (Vishi) is known worldwide as the golden pillar supporting Indian chess. He was born on 11 December 1969 and began practicing chess at six. As he loved the game, Vishi chased it as his passion and became the youngest Indian to achieve the title of International Master (IM), at age 15, by winning the Asian Junior Championship.
He was known for his quick thinking and aggressive play. Following his meteoric growth, Vishi soon became India’s first grandmaster (GM) at 18. Stepping on the next milestone, Vishi entered the world championships and struggled against tyrants such as Kasparov and Kramnik. In 2007 Vishi became the first undisputed world champion to win the title in a tournament, rather than in match play, since Mikhail Botvinnik in 1948.
Special note: Vishi made major efforts to make chess a mainstream game in India. Due to the efforts of such visionary players, India now dominates the game of chess. Because of his contribution, Vish was awarded the greatest sports honors and made the Deputy President of FIDE.
02. Dommaraju Gukesh
Standard 2751
Rapid 2629
Blitz 2626
Grand Master
Achievements
- He holds the title of third-youngest Grandmaster in the World.
- He is also the youngest player ever to defeat the former world champion, Magnus Carlsen at the age of 16.
Bio
Gukesh was born on 29 May 2006 and started playing chess at seven. He became the IM in 2018 and missed the title of becoming the youngest GM by 17 days. Gukesh was the youngest Indian chess player to become GM (which is now the second youngest) in 2019 at the age of 12 years, 7 months, and 17 days. He is a rising star with a bright future. His recent achievements include his perfect score of 8/8 start in the 44th Chess Olympiad which helped in defeating the champion U.S. Furthermore, in October 2022, he defeated Magnus Carlsun (Former World champion) in the Aimchess Rapid tournament.
03. Vidit, Santosh Gujrathi
Standard 2723
Rapid 2665
Blitz 2635
Grand Master
Achievements
- He holds the title of 30th Indian chess grandmaster.
- He is only the 4th person crossing the 2700 threshold from India in Elo rating history.
- He also won the World Youth Chess Championship in the Open U14 section and became the first chess champion in India to do so.
Bio
Vidit is among India’s most famous chess players, staying in the spotlight with his appearance on social media. He became IM in 2008 at the age of 14 and attended and soon won the title of grandmaster in 2013. Recently he was the captain of the gold medal-winning Indian team in the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad 2020.
04. Harikrishna, Pentala
Standard 2711
Rapid 2630
Blitz 2634
Grand Master
Achievements
- He was Commonwealth Champion in 2001, World Junior Champion in 2004, and Asian Individual Champion in 2011.
- He also became the youngest GM in India in 2001.
- Harikrishna is also the first person who surpassed Anand after a gap of three decades of unrivaled Elo live rating in 2016.
Bio
Harikrishna comes from the state of Tamil Nadu where he began to play the game of chess at the young age of 4. He was unrivaled from a younger age winning Indian Under-08 (1993), Under-10 (1995), Under-14 (1999), Under-15 (1998), and Under-18 (1998) titles. With such tremendous growth, Harikrishna soon became IM in 2000. He finally earned his last GM norm in 2001, along with an entry to the FIDE World Chess Championship, becoming a GM.
05. Praggnanandhaa
Standard 2707
Rapid 2587
Blitz 2623
Grand Master
Achievements
- He won the 2022 Indian National Championship.
- Qualified for Candidates 2024 by defeating Fabiano Caruana.
- 1st Indian after Anand to reach Chess World Cup semis
- Youngest player to reach WCC finals.
Bio
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu is the second youngest Indian chess grandmaster. He started playing chess at a very young age and displayed immense talent and potential. It was no surprise for him to achieve the title of International Master at the tender age of 10. At that time he was the youngest-ever player to accomplish this remarkable feat. Praggnanandhaa, at the age of 14, became a Grandmaster, further solidifying his position as one of the brightest stars in Indian chess.
06. Erigaisi Arjun
Standard 2704
Rapid 2690
Blitz 2003
Grand Master
Achievements
- He won the 2022 Indian National Championship
Bio
Erigaisi Arjun is an Indian chess grandmaster who had a keen interest in chess from an early age. He started playing chess competitive chess and soon made a name in the world of chess. At the age of 16, Arjun achieved a remarkable feat by becoming an International Master. He continued to excel in the game and later earned the coveted title of Grandmaster, solidifying his status as one of India’s brightest chess talents. Arjun’s exceptional skills and strategic prowess have earned him several notable victories throughout his career.
07. Nihal Sarin
Standard 2684
Rapid 2672
Blitz 2689
Grand Master
Achievements
- Became a grandmaster at the age of 14.
- U-10 World Blitz Championship winner (2013).
- U-10 World Youth Chess Championship winner (2014).
- Bronze medalist at the 2022 FIDE Chess Olympiad.
- Winner of the Tata Steel India Rapid tournament.
Bio
Nihal Sarin, a chess prodigy from India, achieved grandmaster status at just 14 years old. His early success includes winning the U-10 World Blitz Championship and the U-10 World Youth Chess Championship. In 2020, he showcased his talent by triumphing in various prestigious events. Nihal continues to excel, securing notable placements at top tournaments and earning recognition as a formidable player.
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08. Narayanan. S.L.
Standard 2656
Rapid 2586
Blitz 2564
Grand Master
Achievements
- Winner of the Asian U-16 title (2012).
- Gold medalist in the Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship (2016).
Bio
S.L. Narayanan, an Indian grandmaster, claimed the Asian U-16 title and won gold in the Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship. With a steady presence in tournaments, Narayanan has showcased his skills and achieved commendable placements, making him a respected player within the chess community.
09. Aravindh Chithambaram
Standard 2645
Rapid 2553
Blitz 2596
Grand Master
Achievements
- Triple Crown National champion (2019).
- Part of the gold medal-winning Indian team at the FIDE Online Olympiad (2020).
Bio
Aravindh Chithambaram, India’s first triple crown National champion, conquered all three formats – Classical, Rapid, and Blitz – in 2019. As a member of the victorious Indian team in the FIDE Online Olympiad, Aravindh has displayed his exceptional talent. His journey in chess is characterized by dedication, perseverance, and remarkable achievements.
10. Aryan Chopra
Standard 2641
Rapid Not rated
Blitz Not rated
Grand Master
Achievements
- Second youngest Indian to become a Grandmaster
- Notable victory over GM Levan Pantsulaia of Georgia
- Impressive performance in the 2017 Abu Dhabi Chess Masters tournament
- A key contributor to the world team’s victory in the 2017 Match of the Millennials
Bio
Aryan Chopra, a prodigious chess master of India, achieved the title of Grandmaster at the age of 14 years, 9 months, and 3 days. Overcoming physical challenges, Chopra displayed incredible determination and skill, earning recognition as India’s fifth youngest Grandmaster. His journey exemplifies the triumph of perseverance in the face of adversity.
11. Leon Luke Mendonca
Standard 2628
Rapid 2458
Blitz 2481
Grand Master
Achievements
- Youngest Indian to achieve the title of Grandmaster
- Attained the International Master title at the age of 12
- Represented India in various international chess events
- Earned Grandmaster norms at tournaments in Hungary and Italy
Bio
Leon Luke Mendonca, born on 13 March 2006, is a young and promising chess player from India. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 lockdowns, Mendonca showcased his talent and dedication, becoming the sixty-seventh Indian Grandmaster in January 2021. His remarkable achievement at a tender age is an inspiration to aspiring chess players.
12. Abhijeet Gupta
Standard 2625
Rapid 2543
Blitz 2528
Grand Master
Achievements
- Winner of the Commonwealth Chess Championship five times
- World Junior Chess Championship winner in 2008
- Winner of the Dubai Open Chess Championship in 2011
- Recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2013
Bio
Abhijeet Gupta, born on 16 October 1989, is an Indian chess prodigy. With a passion for chess from a young age, Gupta’s remarkable career includes winning the Commonwealth Chess Championship five times. He combines strategic brilliance with a strong educational background, making him a respected figure in the chess community.
Leon Luke Mendonca, born on 13 March 2006, is a young and promising chess player from India. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 lockdowns, Mendonca showcased his talent and dedication, becoming the sixty-seventh Indian Grandmaster in January 2021. His remarkable achievement at a tender age is an inspiration to aspiring chess players.
13. Raunak Sadhwani
Standard 2624
Rapid 2570
Blitz 2669
Grand Master
Achievements
- One of the youngest Grandmasters in India
- U-12 World Youth Chess Champion in 2011 (Brazil).
- Crowned Indian Champion in 2015.
- Winner of multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals in prestigious tournaments.
Bio
Meet Raunak Sadhwani, a rising star in Indian chess, who embraced the prestigious Grandmaster title at the remarkable age of 13. Despite his youth, Raunak has already left an indelible mark, securing a bronze medal with the Indian team at the FIDE Olympiad. With his extraordinary talent and unwavering focus, Raunak’s chess journey promises to captivate the world.
14. Karthikeyan Murali
Standard 2618
Rapid 2522
Blitz 2527
Grand Master
Achievements
- Crowned Indian Champion in 2015.
- One of the youngest Grandmasters in India
- U-12 World Youth Chess Champion in 2011 (Brazil).
- Winner of multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals in prestigious tournaments.
Bio
Karthikeyan Murali is an avid chess enthusiast hailing from Chennai, India. Starting his journey at the age of 10, he swiftly climbed the ranks and achieved the titles of International Master (IM) and Grandmaster (GM). Known for his attacking style, Karthikeyan has triumphed over renowned players, fueled by an unwavering dedication and a profound love for the game.
15. Parimarjan Negi
Standard 2616
Rapid 2613
Blitz 2613
Grand Master
Achievements
- Held titles of Indian and Asian chess champion.
- Champion of the 48th National Premier Chess Championship in 2010.
- Youngest grandmaster in India and the seventh youngest in the world.
- Secured a bronze medal at the 2014 Chess Olympiad, representing India.
Bio
Meet Parimarjan Negi, among the best chess player in India who earned the prestigious title of Grandmaster at the young age of 13. He filled his nation with pride as part of the Indian team that won a bronze medal at the 2014 Chess Olympiad. Parimarjan’s incredible journey reflects his unwavering passion and dedication to the game that has captivated hearts worldwide.
We update the ratings and players’ data every month so that you may remain up-to-date with our best Indian chess players.
