Four Indians in World Top 13

by Shahid Ahmed - 02/01/2025

Arjun Erigaisi maintained his rating 2801 and place World no.4 with a second place finish at Qatar Masters 2024. D Gukesh became 18th World Champion after dethroning Ding Liren (CHN). He lost a few rating points, however, he retained his World no.5 rank. R Praggnanandhaa won a game at SchachBundesliga. It fetched him 3.5 Elo rating points and moved him up to World no.13. Aravindh Chithambaram continues his ascension. He gained 7.8 Elo rating points to move to 2726 and World no.23. Currently, there are three Indians in World top 10, four in top 13, six in top 24 and nine in top 48. Among the Women, WGM Nandhidhaa P V is the highest gainer with 40.8 points. She and IM Padmini Rout returned to India top ten and World top 100 among Women. Photos: Anmol Bhargav

Aravindh Chithambaram keeps rising, becomes World no.23

January 2025 rating list saw very little but significant changes. Most of the top players either did not play a lot of Classical rated games or tournaments. Only two Indians at the top, R Praggnanandhaa and Aravindh Chithambaram gained valuable rating points. Praggnanandhaa moved up from 17 to 13 and Aravindh advanced three places from World no. 26 to 23.

R Praggnanandhaa gained 3.5 Elo rating points by winning a game in Schachbundesliga 2024-2025

GM Aravindh Chithambaram increased his Elo rating by 7.8 points to move to 2726

GM Nihal Sarin's President Cup victory moved him up to 2687 | Photo: Uzbekistan Chess Federation

GM Raunak Sadhwani's rating moved to 2675, thanks to his victory at XTX Markets London Chess Classic 2024 Masters | Photo: Tao Bhokanandh/London Chess Classic

GM Karthikeyan Murali crossed 2650. His rating is now 2651

Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, Vishy Anand and R Praggnanandhaa are in World top 13 | Source: FIDE

There are 13 Indians in World Top 100 | Source: FIDE

Women: Four Indians in Top 19

Four Indian women are now in top 19. They are - GM Koneru Humpy, World no.6, IM Divya Deshmukh, World no.14, GM Harika Dronavalli, World no. 16 and GM R Vaishali, World no.19 among women. Their ratings remained unchanged. Currently, there are ten Indians among the top 100 women. WGM Nandhiddha P V and IM Padmini Rout returned to India top ten and World top 100 among women.

WGM Nandhidhaa P V gained 40.8 Elo rating points at Qatar Masters 2024 to make her return to India top 10 and World top 100 among women

IM Padmini Rout added 16.8 Elo rating points from US Masters and Saint Louis Masters 2024 to make a similar rating list like Nandhidhaa

Four Indians in World Top 19 among Women | Source: FIDE

Ten Indians are among World Top 100 Women | Source: FIDE

Countries

India is still no.2 in January FIDE Rating list in terms of average rating of top ten players, 12 Elo rating points behind the USA. The gap between USA and India of 12 points remained the same from December 2024 to January 2025 FIDE Rating list.

India is only 12 average Elo rating points behind the USA | Source: FIDE