New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa defeated World Chess Champion D. Gukesh in a tiebreaker to win the Tata Steel Masters 2025 tournament on Sunday. Praggnanandhaa became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to win this title. Viswanathan Anand has won the title five times (1989, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2006), including three times as a joint winner.
The winner was decided in a tiebreaker match held in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, on Sunday. Both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa faced defeats in their final-round matches. Gukesh lost to Arjun Erigaisi in his last round, while Praggnanandhaa was defeated by German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer.
After the 13th and final round of the 14-player round-robin event, both Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh were tied with 8.5 points each. The winner was then determined by a tiebreaker, where Praggnanandhaa made a comeback after trailing to defeat Gukesh and claim the title.
Became an International Master at the age of 10 Praggnanandhaa hails from Tamil Nadu. He was born on August 10, 2005, in Chennai. His father, Rameshbabu, works as a branch manager at Tamil Nadu State Corporation Bank, while his mother, Nagalakshmi, is a homemaker. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest International Master in chess in 2016 at the age of 10.
18-year-old Gukesh, the new World Chess Champion, won the title at the youngest age The 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster D. Gukesh won the World Chess Championship title on December 11, 2024, in Singapore. He defeated China’s defending champion Ding Liren 7.5-6.5 in the final, becoming the youngest player ever to win the title. Previously, Russia’s Garry Kasparov had won the title at the age of 22 in 1985. Gukesh was honored with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award earlier this January. Additionally, in last September’s Chess Olympiad, Gukesh secured a title-winning victory for India by winning the final game in the open category.
Who is D. Gukesh? Gukesh’s full name is Dommaraju Gukesh. He is from Chennai and was born on May 7, 2006. He started playing chess at the age of seven and was initially coached by Bhaskar Nagayya.
Nagayya is an international chess player and a home tutor for chess in Chennai. Later, Viswanathan Anand mentored Gukesh, providing coaching and insights into the game. Gukesh’s father is a doctor, and his mother is a microbiologist by profession.
Tata Steel Masters
The **Tata Steel Masters** is one of the most prestigious annual chess tournaments, held in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands. Established in 1938, it has grown into a premier event attracting top grandmasters, with past winners including legends like Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen. Sponsored by Tata Steel since 1999, the tournament is renowned for its high-level competition and vibrant chess culture.
Wijk aan Zee
Wijk aan Zee is a charming coastal village in the Netherlands, known for its sandy beaches, dunes, and relaxed atmosphere. Historically a fishing village, it dates back to the 12th century and later became a popular seaside resort in the 19th century. Today, it is also famous for hosting the annual Tata Steel Chess Tournament, one of the most prestigious chess events in the world.
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
The **Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award** (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna) is India’s highest sporting honor, awarded annually for outstanding achievements in sports. Established in 1991–92, it was renamed in 2021 after hockey legend **Major Dhyan Chand**, who won three Olympic gold medals for India (1928, 1932, 1936). The award recognizes exceptional athletes and includes a medal, certificate, and cash prize.
Chess Olympiad
The **Chess Olympiad** is a prestigious international team chess tournament organized by FIDE (the International Chess Federation) since 1924. Held biennially, it brings together national teams from around the world to compete, promoting chess as a global sport and fostering cultural exchange. The event has grown significantly over the years, with the 2022 Olympiad in Chennai, India, setting a record with 188 participating teams.
World Chess Championship
The **World Chess Championship** is the most prestigious title in competitive chess, governed by FIDE (International Chess Federation) since 1948. Its origins trace back to 1886 when Wilhelm Steinitz became the first officially recognized world champion after defeating Johannes Zukertort. Today, the championship features a series of matches or tournaments to determine the world’s top player, with legendary figures like Garry Kasparov, Magnus Carlsen, and Ding Liren holding the title over the years.
Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand is not a place or cultural site but a renowned Indian chess grandmaster and former world chess champion. Known as the “Tiger of Madras,” Anand became India’s first grandmaster in 1988 and held the FIDE World Chess Championship title from 2000 to 2002 and the undisputed world championship from 2007 to 2013. His contributions have popularized chess in India and inspired generations of players.
Garri Kasparov
Garry Kasparov is a renowned Russian chess grandmaster and former World Chess Champion, widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players in history. He became the youngest undisputed World Champion in 1985 at age 22 and held the title until 2000, known for his aggressive playing style and rivalry with IBM’s Deep Blue supercomputer. Beyond chess, Kasparov is also a political activist and writer, advocating for democracy and human rights in Russia.
Ding Liren
Ding Liren is a Chinese chess grandmaster, not a place or cultural site, known for becoming the 17th World Chess Champion in 2023. He is the first Chinese player to win the title, marking a significant milestone in China’s chess history. His rise reflects the growing prominence of Chinese chess on the global stage.
