A Historic Win for India’s Young Chess Star
R Praggnanandhaa has etched his name in history, becoming the first Indian since Viswanathan Anand in 2006 to clinch the prestigious Tata Steel Chess Masters title. The 19-year-old grandmaster defeated reigning world champion D Gukesh in a tense sudden-death tiebreaker, marking his biggest career triumph yet.
Chennai erupted in celebration as Praggnanandhaa received a hero’s welcome upon his return. Officials from the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) honored him, acknowledging his remarkable achievement on the global chess stage.
Hard Work and Inspiration From Fellow Indians
After stepping off the plane, Praggnanandhaa shared his thoughts on the victory. He admitted that the past year hadn’t ended on the best note for him, but seeing fellow Indian players excel pushed him to strive for more.
“I didn’t have a great end to 2024. So I worked hard for this tournament. I am happy to have such a great start to this year,” he said.
Results from his compatriots played a major role in his motivation.
- Gukesh winning the World Championship
- Arjun Erigaisi crossing the 2800 Elo rating in classical chess
“These achievements inspired me to work harder,” he said. “Another reason was that I wasn’t happy with my own game. I wanted to play better, so I kept practicing.”
The Dramatic Path to Victory
The Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 wasn’t an easy ride for Praggnanandhaa. His final round game against Germany’s Vincent Keymer lasted nearly seven hours, ending in a loss. Gukesh, too, suffered his first defeat as world champion in the last round against Arjun Erigaisi.
With both Indian grandmasters tied at 8.5 points, the title had to be decided through a playoff.
- Gukesh won the first tiebreaker game.
- Praggnanandhaa bounced back in the second.
- The sudden-death decider saw Praggnanandhaa emerge victorious.
This triumph signified not just personal glory but also the rising dominance of Indian chess on the world stage.
Viswanathan Anand’s Witty Response
Chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who has been a guiding figure for young Indian talents, took to social media to acknowledge Praggnanandhaa’s achievement in his own style.
“Mere pass panch hai .. IYKYK!,” Anand posted on X, humorously reminding Praggnanandhaa that he has five Tata Steel Chess titles to his name.
This lighthearted moment showcased the camaraderie between the generations of Indian chess players, with Anand’s legacy now inspiring a new wave of champions.
Indian Chess on the Rise
Praggnanandhaa’s victory at Tata Steel Chess Masters 2025 is just another indicator of how Indian chess is undergoing a revolution. With Gukesh holding the world champion title and Arjun Erigaisi consistently breaking barriers, the country’s dominance in the sport is becoming more evident.
What was once considered an individual pursuit is now a shared journey of young grandmasters pushing each other to new heights. As Praggnanandhaa put it, the success of one fuels the ambition of the others.
If this trend continues, Indian chess might soon have more than one world champion, and maybe even more players holding multiple Tata Steel Chess titles, just like Anand.
