There can be a brand new India No. 1 on the town when the official chess rankings checklist comes out in just a few days after R Praggnanandhaa snatched victory on the uber-competitive 2nd UzChess Cup in Tashkent. The win got here after some drama the place the Indian discovered himself in a Mexican standoff with two Uzbek gamers from the nation’s golden era.
Pragg gained the title in opposition to an elite 10-player Masters subject in Tashkent that comprised heavy-hitters like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Arjun Erigaisi, Richard Rapport, Parham Maghsoodloo, and Aravindh Chithambaram moreover the Uzbek quartet of Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindarov, Nodirbek Yakubboev and Shamsiddin Vokhidov. After 9 rounds of classical chess, there have been three gamers locked on the prime with 5.5 factors every: Pragg, Abdusattorov and Sindarov.
Pragg had began the occasion brightly, however had a mid-event stumble with back-to-back defeats in opposition to Maghsoodloo and Rapport (which is a candidate for one of many video games of the 12 months). Pragg began Friday needing a victory with black items. He did precisely that: delivering a 49-move takedown of Abdusattorov within the classical format to make sure a three-way battle for the title by way of the quicker tiebreaks. Within the tiebreaks, every of the three gamers wanted to play six video games (three in opposition to every opponent) with three minutes on the clock. It was after that mayhem that Praggnanandhaa emerged because the winner.
Wrapped up the #UzChessCup Masters with a win within the closing spherical and wins in tie breaks. Tiebreaks have been loopy certainly.
Grateful for all of the help that I’ve obtained thus far.
Onto my subsequent problem to Croatia. pic.twitter.com/Vrlj8Dgjus— Praggnanandhaa (@rpraggnachess) June 27, 2025
“Tiebreaks have been loopy certainly,” posted Pragg on his X, earlier than including: “Onto my subsequent problem in Croatia.”
The UzChess Cup additionally helped Pragg leap forward of his compatriots like Arjun, Gukesh and Aravindh in one of the heavily-contested battles within the sport in the mean time: the race to be India’s top-ranked participant, a place which comes with different perks, like invites to elite tournaments like Norway Chess. By beating Abdusattorov, Praggnanandhaa now has a stay score of 2778.3, which additionally propels him to World No. 4. He leaves behind Gukesh (stay score of 2776.6) and Arjun (2775.7).
The UzChess Cup marks Praggnanandhaa’s third title of the 12 months. He gained the extremely-competitive Tata Metal occasion in Wijk aan Zee (the place he overpowered newly-crowned world champion Gukesh in a tense tiebreak) and the Grand Chess Tour’s Superbet Chess Traditional Romania (the place he gained a playoff in opposition to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alireza Firouzja). The 12 months has additionally seen Pragg end 2nd on the Stepan Avagyan Memorial match behind Aravindh.
“Of all his wins this 12 months, this one appeared the least probably with simply two rounds to go. Nonetheless, he defeated Arjun Erigaisi (yesterday) and at the moment within the essential match defeated Nodirbek Abdussattorov to tie for first place,” wrote five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand on X. “In a powerful demonstration of character he gained his third tiebreak of the 12 months as nicely. He’s deservedly the brand new quantity 4 within the chess world and the very best rated participant in India.”
2025 has seen a special Praggnanandhaa after a quiet 2024 by his requirements. The 19-year-old has been coaxed to play a model of “dangerous, extra attacking and adventurous chess” by his longtime guru, RB Ramesh. Ramesh pointed at Friday’s recreation in opposition to Abdusattorov and stated that the method from Pragg all through the sport was testomony to this new mindset whereas taking part in chess, which he has adopted this 12 months.
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“Pragg is sort of good in assault, however he was taking part in too stable in 2024. Not less than that was my impression. We mentioned this and talked about being extra adventurous, which you’ll be able to see now,” Ramesh informed The Indian Categorical. “His chess was at all times fairly good. Now he’s additionally been including new openings and attempting much more number of openings in video games.”
What has additionally labored for him is his second, Vaibhav Suri, who additionally aided the Indian staff on the Chess Olympiad, rising from backstage and travelling full-time with Pragg to tournaments, ranging from the occasion in Wijk aan Zee earlier this 12 months.
“Vaibhav has been serving to us longer than this 12 months. However we didn’t wish to go public earlier (and reveal his affiliation with Pragg). He has been with us for a while, however solely lately he has began accompanying Pragg for tournaments and that has been very useful,” Ramesh stated. “It’s good to have somebody you already know nicely, who believes in you, journey with you throughout necessary tournaments. When you’re going by tough instances, it will likely be simpler to imagine in ourselves.”
Congratulations @rpraggnachess for successful the UZchess cup 2025 after an incredible comeback in the direction of the top exhibiting robust character. Wonderful job by @vaibhavschess instrumental in Pragg successful many titles this 12 months! And the opposite unknown gentleman who has been contributing from…
— Ramesh RB (@Rameshchess) June 27, 2025
On X, whereas congratulating Pragg, Ramesh additionally indicated there was one other second working from the shadows in Pragg’s staff.
“Wonderful job by Vaibhav, (who has been) instrumental in Pragg successful many titles this 12 months! And the opposite unknown gentleman who has been contributing from behind the scenes,” Ramesh wrote on X.