Indian teenager Praggnanandhaa defeated reigning World Champion Ding Liren in a fourth spherical conflict on the Tata Metal Masters in Wijk aan Zee on Tuesday.
Because of the win, Praggnanandhaa additionally leapfrogged over five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand because the nation’s top-ranked chess participant within the FIDE’s reside rankings with a ranking of 2748.3, whereas Anand is at 2748. (FIDE discloses the revealed rankings at first of every month).
Pragg turned the second Indian after Anand to defeat a reigning world champion in classical chess.
Taking part in with black items, Pragg had the benefit on the board from the beginning. This was his first win in 4 rounds on the Tata Metal chess occasion this 12 months after three attracts. Coincidentally, Praggnanandhaa had additionally defeated Ding on the identical occasion with black items in 2023, on January 17. Again then, Ding was the World No 2 and was making ready to compete on the Candidates match.
At Wijk aan Zee, Ding is taking part in in a uncommon match after taking the world championship crown final 12 months by defeating Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi.
In the meantime, Gukesh, who final 12 months had turn into the primary Indian to overtake Anand as India No 1 in 36 years within the FIDE revealed rankings, misplaced his encounter with Anish Giri.
Gukesh performed 20…Rxd3! However is it sufficient to win? @anishgiri appears impressed! #TataSteelChess pic.twitter.com/dq0GsKB7wX
— Tata Metal Chess (@tatasteelchess) January 16, 2024
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Gukesh had edged previous Anish to safe a spot on the Candidates through the rankings route on the final second.
The third Indian participant within the fray, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi was held to a draw by Jorden Van Foreest.
Because of his victory, Giri is now on prime of the leaderboard heading into the primary relaxation day on the Tata Metal Masters chess occasion. Pragg is third within the standings with Vidit seventh and Gukesh in tenth spot.