Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, at the surprisingly seasoned age of 19 for a “resurgence” narrative, has ascended to the pinnacle of Indian classical chess. His achievement of becoming India`s number one player, surpassing his peer Gukesh, follows a formidable streak in 2025 marked by three significant title wins, including the recent UzChess Cup.
Looking back, the closing months of 2024 saw a dip in Praggnanandhaa`s performance, a period he openly acknowledged as unsatisfactory. He dedicated time with his coaching team, led by RB Ramesh, focusing on refinement. The results this year—victories at the Tata Steel Chess Masters, Superbet Chess Classic, and UzChess Cup—clearly demonstrate that those efforts have paid off handsomely, propelling him back to, or perhaps beyond, his peak form.
Interestingly, Praggnanandhaa remains pragmatic about his new ranking. As he noted, occupying the top spot by merely a single point over Gukesh signifies a potentially volatile position, one that could shift with just one game. This perspective underscores a key element in his recent success: the transformation hasn`t primarily been a radical overhaul of his chess knowledge or technique, but a significant evolution in his mental approach.
The defining characteristic of the “new” Pragg is a hardened mental resolve. He speaks of a stronger desire to fight for victories and to persevere relentlessly, not only within complex game positions but across the demanding landscape of multi-round tournaments. This grit was vividly demonstrated in the UzChess Cup finale.
Trailing the leader Nodirbek Abdusattorov by a point and a half with just two rounds remaining, and facing his toughest opponents in Arjun Erigaisi and Abdusattorov himself, the tournament title seemed distant. Yet, Praggnanandhaa`s focus wasn`t on the improbable overall win, but simply on playing a quality game against Erigaisi. His victory in that crucial penultimate round, combined with favorable results elsewhere, suddenly brought the title within reach, leading to a decisive final round showdown which he also won, forcing a tie-break.
Praggnanandhaa`s prowess in tie-breaks, especially in faster time controls, has become a signature of his 2025 campaign. He overcame world champion Gukesh in the blitz tie-break at Tata Steel and navigated a three-way tie-break successfully at the Superbet Classic. While he attributes this strength partly to his readiness for a fight, he also candidly admits luck has played a role, particularly in Uzbekistan where he recovered from losing positions in the tie-break rounds.
More than the tie-break wins themselves, it is the difficult paths he navigated to reach them that stand out. Key victories, often with the Black pieces in late tournament stages—like beating Erigaisi in Uzbekistan or Fabiano Caruana at Tata Steel—illustrate a newfound resilience and ability to perform under immense pressure. This is the tangible outcome of his improved mental fortitude.
This stronger, mentally resilient Praggnanandhaa currently leads the FIDE Circuit standings for 2025, a position that could earn him a coveted spot in the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament. However, ever the pragmatist, he recognizes the long year ahead and the potential for shifts. He is focused on maximizing opportunities in major upcoming events like the FIDE Grand Swiss and the FIDE World Cup (where he was a finalist in 2023), which offer direct qualification paths.
His schedule reflects this ambition, packed with elite events including Grand Chess Tour stops, Freestyle Chess, and even a foray into the eSports World Cup. Regarding the eSports event, where he might team up with chess giants like Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana, he maintains a focused perspective: first, the qualification rounds must be won, then one can consider the allure of playing alongside such company.
Ultimately, the 2026 Candidates tournament remains the clear priority. Praggnanandhaa is well-positioned, but maintaining his current exceptional form and continuing to exhibit the fighting spirit that has defined his breakthrough year will be essential. His mental reset hasn`t just made him India`s number one; it has fundamentally reshaped him into a formidable contender ready to challenge for the highest honors in chess, perhaps eventually aiming for the very crown currently worn by Gukesh.
