Archive · 12 Jan 2026
India's Rising Chess Stars: Beyond Anand's Legacy
India has many great chess players now, not just one like Viswanathan Anand.
Dommaraju Gukesh is very good at slow, careful games.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is quick and adaptable.
Arjun Erigaisi takes big risks.
Pranav Venkatesh is a calm and careful player.
They all learned from Anand, but now they are making their own paths.
India doesn't need just one star anymore; it has many talented players.
India now has multiple top chess players, each with unique strengths, following Viswanathan Anand's legacy.
Dommaraju Gukesh excels in classical chess and became world champion by beating Ding Liren.
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa is dangerous in rapid and blitz formats, known for his intuitive and adaptable style.
Arjun Erigaisi is a fearless player who takes high risks and has joined the elite 2800 club.
Pranav Venkatesh won the World Junior Chess Championship 2025, showing maturity and careful play.
- Who
- Indian chess players: Dommaraju Gukesh, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Pranav Venkatesh
- What
- The rise of multiple top chess players in India, each with unique strengths
- When
- Current era, following the legacy of Viswanathan Anand
- Where
- India, with significant achievements in international chess tournaments
- Why
- To explore the depth and diversity of India's chess talent and how they compare to Anand's legacy
- Dommaraju Gukesh
- World Champion, strong in classical chess
- Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
- Excels in rapid and blitz formats
- Arjun Erigaisi
- Fearless, high-risk player in the 2800 club
- Pranav Venkatesh
- World Junior Chess Champion 2025
- Viswanathan Anand
- India's first grandmaster, inspiration for current players
