R. Praggnanandhaa, an Indian chess phenom, won the UZChess Cup Masters 2025, his third major classical tournament triumph of the year, continuing his incredible winning run of the year.
In a thrilling finale, the 19-year-old Grandmaster won the title with remarkable poise and tenacity. In the tournament’s ninth and final round, he used black pieces to secure a crucial victory over local general manager Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
As a result, Pragg finished with 5.5 points at the end of nine games, tying for first place with two other players, Javokhir Sindarov and Abdusattorov. After two rounds of tiebreak matches, the 19-year-old Grandmaster from Chennai emerged victorious, earning 3.5 points more than his two opponents from Uzbekistan. In the tiebreak rounds, Abdusattorov finished third with 2.5 points, while Sindarov finished second with 3.0 points.
Praggnanandhaa earned his third classical championship of the year after taking first place at the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania and the Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk Aan Zee, Netherlands, earlier this year.
As evidence of his growing supremacy in the chess world, Praggnanandhaa’s triumph not only solidifies his place among the world’s best players but also marks a significant milestone by being the highest-rated Indian chess player in Live Rating. He surpassed fourth-place finisher Arjun Erigiasi to take fourth place in Live Rating.
“Won the final round and in tie breaks to wrap up the #UzChessCup Masters. Indeed, tiebreaks were insane. I’m thankful for all of the help I’ve had thus far. In a post on X, Praggnanandhaa stated, “On to my next challenge to Croatia.”
“Congratulations to @rpraggnachess for winning the Uzbekistan Chess Cup,” wrote former world champion Viswanathan Anand on social media, praising the rising talent. This year’s third big classical triumph. With two rounds remaining, this victory seemed the least possible of all his this year.
In the penultimate round, Praggnanandhaa defeated fellow Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi, putting up a spectacular comeback against a very formidable field. In the final round, he defeated Abdussattorov, a local favorite and a world top-10 player, to tie for first place.
Praggnanandhaa proceeded to win the tiebreak, his third tiebreak victory of the year, and clinched the title in a spectacular fashion, showcasing his well-known poise and resolve.
He also won his third tiebreak of the year in a remarkable display of character, Anand continued. He is rightfully the top-ranked player in India and the new number four in the chess world.
Abdusattorov and Sindarov drew both of their matches in Friday’s double round-robin blitz, while Praggnanandhaa defeated both with white but lost with black. Pragg, Sindarov, and Abdusattorov all finished with two points apiece in the tiebreaks.
Praggnanandhaa defeated Sindarov with black in the second round after drawing with Abdusattorov with white. After that, Sindarov defeated Abdusattorov, securing the Indian GM’s victory.
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