D Gukesh, who at 17 beat legend Garry Kasparov’s record to become the youngest-ever contender for the world chess crown, and Arjun Erigaisi have created a new record in FIDE’s Rating list for May 2024.
They are the first Indian duo since November 2016 to make it into the World top 10 of a published rating list. D Gukesh’s historic triumph at the FIDE Candidates 2024 moved him up from World no.16 to 6. Arjun is now World no.7. Arjun’s live ranking is no.5.
The FIDE Candidates brought significant changes to the world’s top 10. Among others, Gukesh (+20 points) and Tan Zhongyi (+19 points) simultaneously climbed up to #6 after winning the FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates, respectively. Both winners of the Candidates 2024 reached their career-high positions.
Currently, there are four Indians in top 14, five in top 28, six in top 37, eight in top 53 and ten in top 81.
D Gukesh is the biggest gainer of this list in the Open at the top. He gained 20.4 Elo rating points and stormed into World top ten at no. 6.
Among the Women, there are three Indians in top 13, four in top 29, five in top 51 and 11 in top 100.
Among these Women, Priyanka Nutakki and Nandhidhaa PV, stand out in this nomination following their great performance in various open tournaments. Priyanka shone in the XLIV Open International Ciudad de San Sebastian (+25 points), Open Menorca (+18 points) and Ponte De Lima Chess Festival (+40 points), while Nandhidhaa did an excellent job in the Fagernes Chess International 2024 (+32) and the Open Menorca 2024 (+49).
Meanwhile, after a tough start in the Women’s Candidates, Rameshbabu Vaishali strung together several wins in the second part and finished strong, gaining 14 rating points.
