Today, India is home to some of the world’s top chess players, who have been dominating the international circuit with their exceptional skills and talent. India has a rich tradition of chess that dates back to the ancient times. Chess was brought to India from Persia and the game has since then evolved to become a popular sport in the country. In this article, we will take a look at some of the top Indian chess players and their achievements.
Table of Contents
Top Indian Chess Players
| Player Name | FIDE Rating | World Rank (Active) | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viswanathan Anand | 2754 | 9 | Five-time World Chess Champion |
| Koneru Humpy | 2576 | 289 | Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion |
| Pentala Harikrishna | 2704 | 34 | Won the Commonwealth Chess Championship |
| Vidit Gujrathi | 2730 | 17 | Won the Tata Steel Chess Challengers |
| Harika Dronavalli | 2511 | 602 | Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship silver medalist |
| Nihal Sarin | 2673 | 64 | Became India’s youngest ever Grandmaster in 2019 at the age of 14 |
| Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu | 2688 | 46 | Became the world’s second-youngest Grandmaster at the age of 12 |
Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand, also known as Vishy Anand, is a legendary Indian chess player who was born on December 11, 1969. He is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time and has been a dominant force in the world of chess for over three decades.
Anand started playing chess at the age of six and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the youngest Indian to win the National Sub-Junior Chess Championship at the age of fourteen. He went on to win the National Junior Chess Championship the following year, and at the age of sixteen, he became India’s first International Master.
Anand has won the World Chess Championship five times and has been the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2007 to 2013. He has also represented India in numerous Chess Olympiads, winning multiple individual and team medals. He is a role model for many aspiring chess players in India and around the world.
Anand is known for his quick and tactical moves, and has won numerous tournaments and awards throughout his career, including:
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Linares Chess Tournament | 1998 | Winner |
| Chess Olympiad | 1998 | Gold Medal |
| Corus Chess Tournament | 2006 | Winner |
Koneru Humpy
Koneru Humpy is one of the top female chess players in the world and has been representing India in international tournaments since the age of 15. Humpy has continued to make the country proud with her exceptional performances. She has won several national and international tournaments and has been ranked as high as world number one. Humpy has participated in several international tournaments, including:
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| FIDE Women’s Grand Prix | 2009 | Winner |
| Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship | 2019 | Winner |
| FIDE Women’s Grand Prix | 2019 | Winner |
Pentala Harikrishna
Pentala Harikrishna is another prominent name in Indian chess and has been ranked as high as number 11 in the world. He has been representing India in international tournaments since the age of 15 and has won numerous national and international championships, including the Commonwealth Chess Championship in 2001 and 2010. Harikrishna is known for his tactical moves and ability to adapt to different playing styles. He has participated in several international tournaments, including:
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Biel Chess Festival | 2013 | Winner |
| Abu Dhabi Masters | 2014 | Winner |
| Chess Olympiad | 2018 | Bronze Medal |
Vidit Gujrathi
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi is a rising star in Indian chess and has been making waves in the international circuit with his impressive performances. He has won several national and international tournaments and has been ranked as high as world number 22. Gujrathi is known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to stay focused under pressure.
Gujrathi has participated in several international tournaments, including:
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Prague Chess Festival | 2018 | Winner |
| Tata Steel Chess Challengers | 2019 | Winner |
| Isle of Man Chess Tournament | 2019 | 4th Place |
Harika Dronavalli
Dronavalli Harika is one of the top female chess players in India and has been representing the country in international tournaments for over a decade. She has been ranked as high as world number three. Harika has won several national and international championships, including the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship silver medal in 2017. Harika is known for her tactical skills and her ability to play under pressure.
Harika has participated in several international tournaments, including:
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Women’s Chess Championship | 2011 | Winner |
| Asian Women’s Chess Championship | 2014 | Winner |
| Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship | 2014 | Bronze Medal |
Nihal Sarin
Nihal Sarin is a young Indian chess prodigy who was born on July 13, 2004. He started playing chess at the age of six and has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the most promising young chess players in the world. At the age of 12, he became the youngest Indian ever to achieve the title of International Master. He is known for his aggressive and imaginative style of play and has often been compared to the great Garry Kasparov.
Nihal Sarin has also achieved numerous other accolades and notable performances in various chess tournaments, including the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, where he has played against some of the world’s top Grandmasters. He is considered one of the rising stars of Indian chess and is expected to achieve great things in the future.
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Asian Youth Chess Championship | 2016 | Winner |
| World Youth Chess Championship | 2017 | Winner |
| Gibraltar Masters Chess Tournament | 2019 | 7th Place |
Praggnanandhaa R
Praggnanandhaa R, also known as R. Praggnanandhaa, is a young Indian chess prodigy who was born on August 10, 2005. He started playing chess at the age of three and has quickly risen through the ranks to become one of the most promising young chess players in the world. At the age of 12, he became the second youngest player in history to achieve the title of Grandmaster, behind only Sergey Karjakin.
Praggnanandhaa R has also achieved numerous other notable performances in various chess tournaments, including the Tata Steel Chess Tournament, where he has played against some of the world’s top Grandmasters. He is considered one of the brightest young stars of Indian chess and is expected to achieve great things in the future.
| Tournament Name | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Steel Chess Tournament | 2022 | 12th |
| FTX Crypto Cup | 2022 | 2nd |
| Tata Steel Chess Masters | 2023 | 9th |
FAQs
Q: Who are some of the top Indian chess players?
A: India has produced many talented chess players over the years, but some of the top players currently include Viswanathan Anand, Pentala Harikrishna, Vidit Gujrathi, Koneru Humpy, and Dronavalli Harika.
Q: How many chess grandmasters does India have?
A: India has produced many strong chess players in recent years, and as of my knowledge cutoff, the country had 81 grandmasters. This number may have increased since then, as new players achieve the GM title.
Q: Who is India’s first grandmaster?
A: India’s first Grandmaster was Viswanathan Anand, who achieved the title in 1988. He went on to become one of the greatest chess players of all time, winning numerous tournaments and championships throughout his career.
Q: What has been the biggest achievement by an Indian chess player?
A: One of the biggest achievements by an Indian chess player was when Viswanathan Anand became the World Chess Champion in 2007. He went on to defend his title successfully in subsequent years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
Q: Are there any famous female Indian chess players?
A: Yes, India has produced many talented female chess players, including Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and Tania Sachdev. In fact, India has a strong tradition of women’s chess, with many young girls taking up the game as a hobby and pursuing it as a career.
Conclusion
As a fan of Indian chess, I have been following the growth and development of Indian chess players closely. Over the years, Indian chess players have made significant progress on the international stage, and their achievements have not gone unnoticed. Many young players showing promise and achieving success in international tournaments.
The Indian Chess Federation has been working hard to create opportunities for young players to showcase their talent, providing them with opportunities to participate in national and international competitions. The federation has also been organizing training camps, inviting top coaches from around the world to help Indian players improve their game.
The success of Indian chess players can also be attributed to the players themselves, who have worked tirelessly to hone their skills and achieve success on the international stage. Players like Viswanathan Anand, Koneru Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli have not only put Indian chess on the world map but also inspired a new generation of players to follow in their footsteps.
In conclusion, the success of Indian chess players is a testament to the country’s commitment to promoting chess as a sport, the hard work of the Indian Chess Federation, the strong chess culture in the country, and the skill and dedication of Indian players themselves. I am excited to see what the future holds for Indian chess and look forward to seeing more Indian players dominate the international chess scene.
- Also Read : 5 Top chess player of india you should know