The Fab 4 of Indian Chess!

Gukesh, Pragnanandhaa, Arjun, and Nihal, I call them the 'Fab 4' of Indian Chess!

A Collective Rise to Greatness:

The Fab 4 of Indian Chess has not only clinched prestigious titles and broken records but also found a special place in the hearts of chess enthusiasts. Their remarkable journeys reflect the depth of Indian chess and a bright future for the sport.

In a country celebrated for its cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, and VVS Laxman, the Fab 4 is making chess the next national obsession. They are the pawns turned kings of the chessboard, poised to conquer the world. Watch out, chess world, for the Fab 4 of Indian chess – they're here to stay.

Gukesh, Pragg, Nihal, and Arjun have engraved their names in history as the 60th, 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Grandmasters of India, respectively, at the ages of 17, 18, 19, and 20. This numerical symmetry is a testament to their simultaneous rise to prominence.

When Their Alliance Brought India Laurals!

In the thrilling 2022 FIDE Chess Olympiad, held in Tamil Nadu, Gukesh, Nihal, and Pragg proudly represented the India B team along with Raunak Sadhwani and Adhiban and seized the bronze medal.

Arjun held the banner high for the India A team, partnering with experienced players Vidit, Harikrishna, S. Narayanan, and Sasikiran.

Gukesh, Pragg, and Arjun are now competing for India in the Asian Games and are aiming for a podium finish! The other two players on the team are Vidit and Harikrishna. (Update: India has won the silver medal at the Asian Games men's team event.)

One can't help but wonder: Will these four chess maestros unite on the same team in the future? The prospect is tantalizing and holds the promise of an extraordinary chess alliance.

Nihal joins the other 3 in the elite 2700 Elo rating club:

October 3, 2023, marked a historic day as Nihal joined his fellow chess prodigies in the esteemed 2700 Elo rating club. His triumph over Paulius Pultinevicius in the second round of the European Club Cup 2023 made him the ninth Indian to achieve this distinction. These four are not just good; they're Super GMs, which means they're among the best in the world.

As the chess world watches in admiration, the Fab 4 of Indian chess continues to redefine the game's landscape, not just as players but as symbols of dedication, friendship, and the enduring spirit of chess. Their individual journeys, when intertwined, create a tapestry of hope, aspiration, and the promise of an even brighter future for Indian chess. We can't help but be excited about what they'll achieve next.

Participate in our fan poll: Which Indian youngster has the best chance of winning the world chess championship? Vote now!

Bio, World Ranking & Journeys of the Fab 4 in a nutshell:

Gukesh Dommaraju: 60th Indian Grandmaster (GM)

Gukesh's Bio:

Born: 29 May, 2006
Age (as of 10 Oct, 2023): 17
Birth Place: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Parents:
Father - Rajnikanth, an ear, nose and throat surgeon
Mother - Padma, a microbiologist

Gukesh's Current FIDE World Ranking:

Classical: 8
Rapid: 46
Blitz: 54

Gukesh's Journey to the Top in a Nutshell:

Surpassed Vishy Anand in live rating to become the new India no.1 - 3 August, 2023
The youngest player to reach 2750 Elo - 21 July, 2023
2700 Elo: 17 Jul, 2022
Grandmaster (GM) - 2019
International Master (IM) - 2018
Candidate Master (CM) - 2015

Read this fascinating article about Gukesh, the new No. 1 ranked player in India.: Meet the new India No.1 Chess player & World No. 9 - Gukesh D.

Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu: 52nd Indian Grandmaster (GM)

Pragg's Bio:

Born: 10 August, 2005
Age (as of 10 Oct, 2023): 18
Birth Place: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Parents:
Father - Rameshbabu Bhuvanesh, branch manager at TNSC Bank
Mother - Nagalakshmi, is a homemaker

Praggnanandhaa's Current FIDE World Ranking:

Classical: 16
Rapid: 23
Blitz: 41

Pragg's Journey to the Top:

2700 Elo: 29 July, 2023
Grandmaster (GM) - 2018
International Master (IM) - 2016
FIDE Master (FM) - 2013

Arjun Erigaisi: 54th Indian Grandmaster (GM)

Arjun's Bio:

Born: 3 September, 2003
Age (as of 10 Oct, 2023): 20
Birth Place: Warangal, Telangana, India
Parents:
Father - Srinivas Rao, a neurosurgeon
Mother - E. Jyothi

Arjun's Current FIDE World Ranking:

Classical: 29
Rapid: 48
Blitz: 16

Arjun's Journey to the Top:

2700 Elo: 9 August, 2022
Grandmaster (GM) - 2018
International Master (IM) - 2018
FIDE Master (FM) - 2017
Candidate Master (CM) - 2016

Nihal Sarin: 53rd Indian Grandmaster (GM)

Nihal's Bio:

Born: 13 July, 2004
Age (as of 10 Oct, 2023): 19
Birth Place: Thrissur, Kerala, India
Parents:
Father - Sarin Abdulsalam, a dermatologist
Mother - Shijin Ammanam Veetil Ummar, a psychiatrist

Nihal's Current FIDE World Ranking:

Classical: 42
Rapid: 39
Blitz: 32

Nihal's Journey to the Top:

2700 Elo: 3 Oct, 2023
Grandmaster (GM) - 2018
International Master (IM) - 2017
FIDE Master (FM) - 2015
Candidate Master (CM) - 2014