Praggnanandhaa Wins UZChess Cup, Becomes India's Top-Ranked Player

• Third major classical title in 2025 after Tata Steel and Superbet Classic wins.
•  Becomes highest-rated Indian player in live global chess rankings, now World No. 4.
•  Wins dramatic tie-break finale against top Uzbek GMs Abdusattorov and Sindarov.

Indian chess sensation R. Praggnanandhaa extended his spectacular run in 2025 with a victory at the prominent UZChess Cup Masters, recording his third big classical tournament win of the year.

The 19-year-old Grandmaster from Chennai showcased incredible grit and calm under pressure, securing a crucial win in the ninth and final round against local hero GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov  and that too with the black pieces. This vital victory brought him level at 5.5 points alongside Abdusattorov and fellow Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov after nine rounds.

It was a nail-biting tie-break encounter that followed, in which Praggnanandhaa won once again. With 3.5 points through his tie-breaks, he beat Sindarov (3.0) and Abdusattorov (2.5) to the title. It was his third tie-break victory of the year.

The win is the latest addition to Pragg's increasing number of 2025 victories, after his wins at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania. His Uzbekistan title is the latest addition to his strong position among the world's best.

Significantly, the victory also saw him jump to fourth in the live world rankings, becoming India's top-rated chess player, ahead of Arjun Erigaisi.

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Responding to the victory, Praggnanandhaa posted on X, "Finished off the #UzChessCup Masters with a win in the last round and wins in the tie breaks. Tiebreaks were nuts indeed. Thank you all for all the support that I have had till now. Off to my next adventure to Croatia."

World Championship former winner Viswanathan Anand hailed the teen prodigy, describing the victory as "the least likely with two rounds to go" and applauding his character and temperament under pressure.