New Delhi, March 1: India’s world champion D Gukesh has ascended to an all-time high ranking of number three in the latest FIDE classical ratings released on Saturday. The 18-year-old Gukesh, who recently showcased outstanding form after defeating China’s Ding Liren to secure the world title in Singapore last December, has added 10 points to his rating, bringing it to 2787.
Gukesh, although he lost the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa on tiebreaks, now ranks below Hikaru Nakamura (2802) in second place, while Norway’s Magnus Carlsen maintains his position as the world’s highest-rated chess player at 2833.
Gukesh has surpassed fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi and USA’s Fabiano Caruana in the rankings. Erigaisi, previously the top-ranked Indian, has dropped to fifth with a rating of 2777.
Praggnanandhaa, who is currently participating in the Prague Masters, has re-entered the top 10 for the first time since July 2022, thanks to his victory at the Tata Steel Masters. He has gained 17 points, elevating him to eighth place with a rating of 2758.
In the women’s list, Koneru Humpy remains the sole Indian contender in the top 10, positioned at number six with a rating of 2528. R Vaishali (2484) and Harika Dronavalli (2483) are ranked 14th and 16th, respectively.
It is important to note that FIDE ratings differ from live Elo ratings. (PTI)
