To be among the top chess players, one has to master a wide range of skill sets like strategic brilliance, relentless practice, and laser-sharp focus, among others. Only a select few have conquered these skills and ascended to the list of best chess players. In this blog, let’s take a look at the top 10 chess players in India as of January 2024.

#1. Praggnanandhaa Rameshbhabu

 Praggnanandhaa Rameshbhabu, the chess prodigy, was born in 2005 in Chennai. At the age of ten, he became an International Master. This achievement made him the youngest person at that time to attain such a distinction. With an upward growth trajectory, he became a Grandmaster at the age of 12.  At 18, he reached the finals of the Chess World Cup 2023 and thus emerged as the youngest chess player to reach the finals. Similarly, he is the second Indian, after Viswanathan Anand to reach the Chess World Cup Finals. He secured the top spot among India’s chess players after winning the 2024 Tata Steel Chess tournament.

#2. Vishwanathan Anand

Vishwanathan Anand, the name synonymous with chess, needs no introduction. As the first grandmaster from India, he undeniably holds the topmost position among the chess players in India. He held the FIDE champion title for three consecutive years and boasts the eighth-highest peak FIDE rating in the history of chess. He achieved the International Master title in 1985 and the Grandmaster title in 1988. Currently, he holds the 2^nd  position in the national ranking and 11^th in the global ranking.

#3. Vidit Santhosh Gujarathi

Vidit, born in 1994 hails from Nasik, Maharashtra, achieved the  FIDE Master title in 2005. Subsequently, he attained the International Master title in 2009 followed by the Grandmaster title in 2013. It made him the 30^th player from India to attain such a title. Currently, he holds the 3rd  position in the national ranking. Further, he is in the 33^rd position in the world ranking.

#4. Arjun Erigaisi

Arjun Erigaisi, born in 2003, is a native of  Warangal and is one of the top chess players in India. He accomplished the prestigious Grandmaster title in 2018 at the age of 14 and became the 32nd person to earn this title. In 2017, he bagged the coveted FIDE master title, followed by the International Master title in 2018. Currently, he holds the 4^th position in national ranking and 17^th in the world ranking.

#5. Gukesh Dommaraju

Gukesh Dommaraju hails from Chennai, Tamilnadu. He is one of the top ten chess players in India. He earned the Grandmaster title in 2019 and it made him the third youngest person in history to achieve the Grandmaster title. In 2015, he acquired the Candidate Master title, and in 2018, he earned the International Master title. Now he ranks 5^th among the top chess players in India. Further, globally he holds the 25^th  position among the active chess players in India.

#6.Pentala Harikrishna

   One of the top 10 players in India, Pentala Harikrishna was born in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. His chess journey started at the age of 4 and achieved grandmaster status in 2001  and became the seventh-youngest to achieve this feat. He had already earned the International Master title in 2000. He holds the 6th  position in the national ranking and 33^{rd t} in the world among active chess players.

 #7. Narayanan SL

 Narayanan, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala is one of the top chess players in India. He received the Grand Master title in 2016 and the International Master title in 2014. Now Narayanan holds the 7^th  position in the national ranking and and is ranked globally.

#8. Nihal Sarin

Born in 2004 and hailing from Kerala, Nihal is in the league of top chess players in India. He got the Grandmaster title at the age of 14 in 2018. He secured the Candidate Master title in 2014 and earned the FIDE Master title in 2015. Then he ascended to the highest level and achieved the International Master title in 2017. Currently, he is in the 8^th position in the national ranking and is ranked 42^nd globally.

#9.Aravindh Chithambaram VR

Born in Thirunagar in 1999, Aravindh Chithambaram began his chess journey at the age of seven. He won the Indian U19 chess championship at the age of 12. His coveted accomplishments include several envious feats. In 2011, he achieved the FIDE Master title, followed by the International Master title in 2014. In 2015, he earned the Grandmaster title. At present, he holds the 9^th position in the national chess ranking and 72^nd in the international ranking.

 #10. Raunak Sadhwani 

Raunak Sadhwani, one of the top 10 chess players in India became a Grandmaster a the age of thirteen. During his chess journey, he has attained prestigious titles including Candidate Master in 2015 and FIDE Master title in 2017. He reached the pinnacle in 2020 by earning the Grandmaster title.

Conclusion

Rankings are as dynamic as chess moves. Hence, the list of top 10 chess players in India also undergoes changes and updations.