Indian Chess Grandmasters List 2025 | Top Chess Players in India

Discover the full list of Indian Chess Grandmasters in 2025, including top players like D. Gukesh, Viswanathan Anand, and Arjun Erigaisi. Explore their achievements, peak ratings, and state-wise details.

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Indian Chess Grandmasters List: India is no longer just a rising force in the world of chess—it has firmly established itself as a global chess superpower. With over 85 Grandmasters and multiple players consistently competing in elite tournaments, the Indian chess landscape is buzzing with talent.

The biggest headline of 2025 so far? D. Gukesh, the 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai, defeated Magnus Carlsen in classical format at Norway Chess 2025, marking one of the most iconic wins in Indian chess history.

Full List of Indian Chess Grandmasters (2025)

India had only 1 GM in 1988 — Viswanathan Anand. Today, the country boasts over 85 Grandmasters, with many more International Masters (IMs) and FIDE Masters (FMs) in the pipeline. Here are some prominent names:

No.	Name	Title	Peak Rating	State
1	Viswanathan Anand	GM	2803	Tamil Nadu
2	Arjun Erigaisi	GM	2801	Telangana
3	Gukesh Dommaraju	GM	2777	Tamil Nadu
4	Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa	GM	2767	Tamil Nadu
5	Aravindh Chithambaram	GM	2749	Tamil Nadu
6	Vidit Santosh Gujrathi	GM	2726	Maharashtra
7	Pentala Harikrishna	GM	2707	Andhra Pradesh
8	Nihal Sarin	GM	2696	Kerala
9	Raunak Sadhwani	GM	2650	Maharashtra
10	Adhiban Baskaran	GM	2640	Tamil Nadu
11	Leon Luke Mendonca	GM	2632	Goa
12	Pranav Venkatesh	GM	2632	Karnataka
13	S.L. Narayanan	GM	2620	Kerala
14	Sankalp Gupta	GM	2552	Maharashtra
15	Bharath Subramaniyam	GM	2567	Tamil Nadu
16	Aditya Mittal	GM	2607	Madhya Pradesh
17	Pranav Anand	GM	2576	Tamil Nadu
18	Koneru Humpy	GM	2623	Andhra Pradesh
19	Dronavalli Harika	GM	2510	Andhra Pradesh
20	Vaishali Rameshbabu	GM	2481	Tamil Nadu

Legendary Grandmasters:

Viswanathan Anand – 1st Indian GM, 5-time World Champion
Koneru Humpy – First female GM from India
Pentala Harikrishna – Former top-10 player globally
Krishnan Sasikiran – Veteran Olympiad performer

Modern-Era Stars:

D. Gukesh – Youngest Indian to defeat Magnus Carlsen
R. Praggnanandhaa – World Cup finalist 2023
Vidit Gujrathi – Candidates Tournament participant
Arjun Erigaisi – India’s speed chess sensation
Nihal Sarin, Raunak Sadhwani, S.L. Narayanan – Rising elite

Top 10 Chess Players in India (2025 Rankings)

Rank	Name	Title	FIDE Rating	Notable Achievement
1	D. Gukesh	GM	2769	Defeated Carlsen (Classical), Norway Chess 2025
2	R. Praggnanandhaa	GM	2741	Finalist, FIDE World Cup 2023
3	Vidit Gujrathi	GM	2726	Played Candidates 2024
4	Arjun Erigaisi	GM	2722	Winner, Tata Steel India Rapid 2024
5	Pentala Harikrishna	GM	2705	Regular elite circuit competitor
6	Nihal Sarin	GM	2688	Speed chess specialist, multiple online titles
7	Raunak Sadhwani	GM	2660	U-20 World Championship finalist
8	Adhiban Baskaran	GM	2650	Known for bold, attacking play
9	Leon Luke Mendonca	GM	2632	One of India’s youngest GMs
10	S.L. Narayanan	GM	2620	Strong positional player, Olympiad gold medallist

Gukesh D Defeats Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess 2025

Background

Held in Stavanger, Norway, the Norway Chess 2025 tournament included the world’s best, including Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Indian prodigies like Gukesh D and Arjun Erigaisi.

Game Highlights: Gukesh vs. Carlsen (Round 6, Classical)

Opening Played: Gukesh went for a prepared line in the Queen’s Gambit Declined.
Strategy: Gukesh slowly built pressure with central control and space advantage.
Carlsen’s Mistake: A subtle inaccuracy in the middlegame allowed Gukesh to launch a kingside initiative.
Climax: In a tense rook and minor piece endgame, Gukesh converted a small edge into a technical masterpiece.
Result: Gukesh wins with white, making him the youngest Indian to beat Carlsen in classical format.

Why Indian Chess Is Booming

Several factors contribute to India’s rapid chess growth:

1. Legacy of Viswanathan Anand

Anand’s rise in the 1990s popularized chess in India and inspired a generation of players to pursue chess professionally.

2. Investment in Chess Academies

Institutions like Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) and Chess Gurukul have developed world-class players.

3. Government & Corporate Support

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, along with private sponsors, support players through scholarships and international exposure.

4. Online Chess Platforms

Platforms like Chess.com, Lichess, and ChessBase India have made chess accessible to millions.

5. Youth Tournaments & Championships

Regular state, national, and international youth tournaments have fostered competitive experience.

6. Tech Integration

Use of AI engines and chess databases have enhanced training methods dramatically.

Conclusion

India’s chess journey has moved from being the home of a single legend to a thriving hub of multiple grandmasters competing at the highest levels. With players like D. Gukesh leading the charge by defeating Magnus Carlsen and breaking age records, Indian chess is poised for unprecedented success on the world stage.