R Praggnanandhaa Soaks in Glory After Defeating D Gukesh: India No. 1 Says ‘It Looked Like He Was Off at the Start’

St. Louis (Sinquefield Cup), August 20, 2025 – Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa registered a commanding victory over reigning World Champion D Gukesh in the opening round of the Sinquefield Cup. The win not only boosted his confidence but also propelled him to World No. 3 in the live rankings, marking a historic milestone for Indian chess.

A Smooth but Strategic Victory

From the very beginning, Praggnanandhaa showcased remarkable composure and tactical clarity. Post-game, he analyzed Gukesh’s play and admitted that his opponent wasn’t at his sharpest:

“It looked like he was off at the start, like he spent so much time at a theoretical position and this endgame is just unpleasant for him. It started to get worse and worse…”

The 19-year-old further noted that Gukesh’s final hope might have been to push b4 and take the pawn, but that option only worsened his position. Praggnanandhaa described the match as a “smooth game,” where he maintained control throughout while Gukesh struggled to find counterplay.

Climbing to World No. 3

The victory had a significant impact on the live FIDE rating chart. With this triumph, Praggnanandhaa temporarily climbed to the third spot in world rankings, behind only Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura.

For Indian chess, this achievement is historic. Having one world champion (Gukesh) and another player reaching the top 3 simultaneously is a clear sign of India’s rising dominance in the global chess landscape.

Tournament Context

The Sinquefield Cup 2025 began with fireworks, as Praggnanandhaa’s win was among the standout results of the opening round. Meanwhile, Armenian GM Levon Aronian also impressed by defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, ensuring a competitive start to the prestigious tournament.

Praggnanandhaa now shares the top spot on the leaderboard, but with several rounds to go, the contest is expected to intensify. Still, this victory over the World Champion has already sent a strong message to competitors and fans alike.

The Growing Rivalry: Praggnanandhaa vs Gukesh

The rivalry between Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh has become one of the most exciting storylines in modern chess.

• Earlier this year at the Tata Steel Masters 2025 in Wijk aan Zee, Praggnanandhaa defeated Gukesh in a dramatic tie-breaker to claim his first Tata Steel Masters title.
• Gukesh, however, had already etched his name in history by becoming the youngest ever World Chess Champion at just 18.

Both players are pushing each other to greater heights, and their repeated clashes on the world stage are reminiscent of classic rivalries in chess history. Unlike the past when India’s spotlight was solely on Viswanathan Anand, the country now has multiple superstars battling at the very top.

Praggnanandhaa’s Reflections

Despite the magnitude of the win, Praggnanandhaa maintained humility in his comments. He acknowledged that while Gukesh was slightly off his rhythm, his own calmness and precise execution made the difference.

He also highlighted the psychological importance of the victory: defeating the reigning world champion in the first round sets a strong tone for the rest of the tournament.

A New Era for Indian Chess

The current state of Indian chess is unprecedented. With D Gukesh as World Champion and Praggnanandhaa as World No. 3, India now has two teenagers competing at the absolute pinnacle of the sport. This dominance reflects years of structured training, the growth of chess academies, and the inspiration from legends like Viswanathan Anand.

Chess fans worldwide are already speculating about future World Championship encounters between Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa, which could usher in a new golden age for Indian chess.

Conclusion

Praggnanandhaa’s victory over Gukesh at the Sinquefield Cup is more than just a tournament result – it’s a statement. It symbolizes the depth of talent in Indian chess and the bright future that lies ahead.

While the Sinquefield Cup has just begun, this match will be remembered as a turning point in the ongoing rivalry between India’s two biggest chess stars. Praggnanandhaa’s rise to World No. 3 only strengthens the belief that the next decade of chess could very well be dominated by these two Indian prodigies.

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