'Pragg is No. 1 in the world': Anand after India's first GCT title | Exclusive
Praggnanandhaa has completed a remarkable comeback after his disappointing 2026 Candidates campaign, winning the Grand Chess Tour Finals in St Louis by beating Fabiano Caruana 15-13. He became the first Indian to win the title. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand praised his resilience and said, “I think at the moment, I would say he's the number one player in the world.”
NEW DELHI - Praggnanandhaa, India's rising star in chess, has claimed the top spot in the world after securing victory at the Grand Chess Tour (GCT) Finals in St Louis. The 21-year-old Indian player defeated Fabiano Caruana 15-13, making him the first Indian and only the seventh player in the tournament's 11-year history to achieve this feat. The prize money for the win was $200,000, but the significance of this accomplishment goes beyond financial reward.
Viswanathan Anand, the former five-time World Chess Champion, has assessed Praggnanandhaa's turnaround since a disappointing performance in the 2026 Candidates. Anand noted that Praggnanandhaa's play had started to decline at the end of last year but had improved significantly since then, particularly in rapid and blitz games. He emphasized that Praggnanandhaa's ability to win late games and change the course of a match is a rare skill that is highly valuable.
Anand's confidence in Praggnanandhaa's current standing as the world's number one player is evident, even though Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World Champion, does not compete in the same events. Anand highlighted Praggnanandhaa's remarkable performance in Norway Chess, where he won four games in a row after being in the bottom during the final rounds. He also mentioned Praggnanandhaa's success in the GCT semifinals and final, where he avenged a loss to Javokhir Sindarov and defeated Magnus Carlsen twice in classical chess.
The journey to St Louis for Praggnanandhaa comprised 27 rapid and blitz games, nine classical games, and 16 games across the semifinals and final. He had previously beaten Magnus Carlsen in classical chess in Norway, and his performance in the GCT Finals showcased his technical range, universal style, and ability to perform under pressure.
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