Gukesh is new world no 3 after Praggnanandhaa beats Fabiano Caruana
Gukesh is now the world no 3 in the FIDE ratings charts after his draw against China’s Wei Yi in the 11th round of the Tata Steel chess tournament coupled with Praggnanandhaa’s defeat of Fabiano Caruana.
Over the course of the past 11 games in the Tata Steel chess tournament, world champion Gukesh’s rating has gone up 16 rating points. He is currently rated at 2793, just one point off his career best rating of 2794 which he achieved in October 2024.
With just two rounds remaining in the Tata Steel Chess tournament in Wijk aan Zee, Gukesh is currently leading the masters standings with Praggnanandhaa and Nodirbek Abdusattarov half a point behind in joint second spot.
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Gukesh is playing in his first event after becoming the youngest world champion in hory last month where he defeated Ding Liren in Singapore.
With India’s top-ranked player Arjun Erigaisi woefully out of sorts at the Tata Steel event and dropping 33 points to slide down to sixth spot, Gukesh also became the India no 1 at the Wijk aan Zee tournament.
For Gukesh, the only real challenge in his path to winning the event was Chinese GM Wei Yi, who he faced in Round 11 on Friday. The 18-year-old from Chennai opted for a sturdy Italian Opening against Wei Yi, which saw both players stay level most of the evening. Eventually, the game ended as a draw after an equal rook and pawn endgame.
INTERACTIVE: How Gukesh drew with Wei Yi
Gukesh D [White] vs Wei Yi
Gukesh taking on Wei Yi in Round 11 of the Tata Steel chess tournament at Wijk aan Zee. (PHOTO: Jurriaan Hoefsmit via Tata Steel chess)
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 4… Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. Nbd2 d5 7. exd5 Nxd5 8. Re1 f6 9. d4 Bg4 10. Nb3 Kh8 11. h3 Bh5 12. c3 exd4 13. Nbxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 Bxf3 15. gxf3 Nb6 16. Qxd8 Rfxd8 17. Rxe7 Nxc4 18. Bf4 Nxb2 19. Rb1 Rd1+ 20. Rxd1 Nxd1 21. Rxc7 b6 22. Kf1 Re8 23. Bd2 h5 24. Rxa7 Rd8 25. Be1 Nb2 26. Rb7 Nc4 27. Rc7 Ne5 28. Ke2 Re8 29. Bd2 Nc4+ 30. Be3 Nxe3
INTERACTIVE: How Pragg defeated Fabiano Caruana
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