Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa: A New Era in Indian Chess

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa Triumphs in FIDE Circuit 2025

Indian chess is experiencing a remarkable ascent on the global stage, and Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has added another significant milestone to India’s sporting legacy. In December 2025, the 20-year-old prodigy achieved a historic victory by winning the FIDE Circuit 2025 with an impressive score of 115.17 points. This victory allowed him to top a competitive leaderboard that featured the strongest chess players worldwide.

Praggnanandhaa's win makes him the only male player to qualify through the FIDE Circuit, securing his place in the Candidates Tournament 2026, the final stage that determines the challenger for the World chess championship 2026. This achievement marks his second consecutive appearance in the Candidates, further solidifying India's position in elite global chess.

Understanding the FIDE Circuit 2025

The FIDE Circuit 2025 was designed as a year-long qualification pathway comprising top-level tournaments held from January to December 2025. Players earned points based on their performance and the strength of the tournaments, with final rankings determined by the sum of their best seven results.

Organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), this circuit aimed to create an alternative qualification route for the Candidates Tournament 2026.

Praggnanandhaa's Remarkable Performance

Praggnanandhaa showcased consistent high-level performance across major events, finishing first with 115.17 points, significantly ahead of his competitors. Here are the top five standings in the FIDE Circuit 2025:

• 1. Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa (India) - 115.17
• 2. Anish Giri (Netherlands) - 81.18
• 3. Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzbekistan) - 71.61
• 4. Fabiano Caruana (USA) - 65.55
• 5. Matthias Blübaum (Germany) - 63.94

His outstanding lead reflects his form and resilience throughout the season.

Significance of Praggnanandhaa’s Qualification

Praggnanandhaa’s qualification is a historic achievement in several ways:

• He is the only male player globally to qualify via the FIDE Circuit.
• He earns a coveted spot in the Candidates Tournament 2026.
• This success continues India’s strong presence in world chess, following Gukesh Dommaraju’s historic run.
• It marks his second consecutive appearance in the Candidates, demonstrating his consistency at the elite level.

Praggnanandhaa joins legends like Viswanathan Anand (1995) and D. Gukesh (2024) as Indians who have reached the Candidates stage.

Upcoming Candidates Tournament 2026

The Candidates Tournament 2026 will take place in Pegeia, Cyprus, from March 28 to April 16, 2026. It will feature an eight-player field competing in a double round-robin format to determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship 2026. Notably, Indian GM D. Gukesh will defend his world title.

Confirmed participants include:

• Anish Giri (Netherlands)
• Fabiano Caruana (USA)
• Matthias Blübaum (Germany)
• Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan)
• Wei Yi (China)
• Andrey Esipenko (Russia)
• R. Praggnanandhaa (India)

The eighth spot will be filled by the player with the highest six-month average FIDE rating (August 2025–January 2026) who has played at least 40 rated games in that period.

Indian Presence in Women’s Candidates 2026

India will also have a strong representation in the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, with qualified players including:

• Divya Deshmukh
• Koneru Humpy
• Vaishali Rameshbabu

This marks a historic moment for Indian chess, as three women players enter the world championship qualification cycle.

About FIDE

The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) is the international governing body of chess. Established in 1924, it is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland. FIDE oversees global chess competitions, rating systems, and world championship cycles.