Top five greatest Indian chess players of all-time

Four active grandmasters feature on the list.

India has a rich tradition in chess, a game that has seen immense popularity thanks to a combination of ancient roots and modern champions. Over the years, Indian chess players have not only dominated national championships but also risen to international prominence. The growth of chess in India from the moment Viswanathan Anand earned the title of grandmaster in 1988 has been nothing short of ordinary. 

In this article, we will look at five of the best Indian chess players who have made significant contributions to the game, showcasing their incredible journey from humble beginnings to becoming global chess icons.

Top five greatest Indian chess players of all-time

Manuel Aaron

Manuel Aaron is a pioneer of Indian chess, responsible for establishing a foundation for future generations. Born in 1935, Aaron became India’s first International Master in 1961, a groundbreaking moment for Indian chess. He dominated the Indian chess scene for decades, winning the national championship nine times between 1959 and 1981.

Aaron’s most significant contributions, however, extend beyond his own playing career. He played an instrumental role in developing chess in India by coaching several Indian chess players and promotion of the game at the grassroots level. Viswanathan Anand was a part of the Tal Chess Club initiated by Manuel Aaron in Chennai.

Manuel Aaron has served as the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Chess Association (1977 and 1997) and also as chairman of the All-India Chess Federation. He represented India at multiple Chess Olympiads, and although he did not achieve the global fame of players like Anand or Harikrishna, his role in Indian chess history is invaluable as a trailblazer who made chess accessible to many.

Gukesh Dommaraju

Gukesh Dommaraju, often referred to as the “next big thing” in Indian chess, is one of the youngest and most promising Indian chess players to emerge in recent years. Gukesh became the second-youngest Grandmaster in history at the age of 12 years and 7 months in 2019, only narrowly missing Sergey Karjakin’s record.

His meteoric rise has earned him widespread acclaim, and he is regarded as a future world champion by many chess experts.

Gukesh has notched significant wins against top players, including World Champion Magnus Carlsen at the FIDE Chess Olympiad in 2022, a victory that garnered international headlines. He was also a part of the title-winning team at the Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest.

At the age of 18, he conquered the world of chess after being crowned the World Chess Champion following his win over reigning champion Ding Liren at the FIDE World Chess Championship 2024. His victory also made him the youngest-ever champion in the tournament history.

Also Read: List of most famous chess players from around the world

Koneru Humpy 

Koneru Humpy is one the strongest female chess players in the world, and her success has been monumental for female Indian chess players. Born in 1986, she became the youngest woman ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster at the age of 15 breaking Judit Polgar’s record.

Humpy’s rise to stardom was marked by a series of victories in the early 2000s, including the World Junior Girls Championship in 2001. 

However, her crowning achievement came in 2019 when she won the Women’s World Rapid Chess Championship, defeating top competitors like Lei Tingjie. She has also been a consistent force at the Chess Olympiad, helping India’s women’s team achieve historic results. Her resilience and ability to perform under pressure have made her one of the most respected figures in the world of chess. 

Pentala Harikrishna

Pentala Harikrishna is another stalwart, one of the many Indian chess players who rose to prominence in the 2000s. He became India’s youngest Grandmaster in 2001, surpassing Anand’s record. Harikrishna’s early career was defined by numerous strong performances in youth competitions. 

His major achievements are winning the Asian Individual Championship in 2011 and helping India win the bronze medal at the Chess Olympiad in 2014. In 2019, he also defeated the former World Champion Veselin Topalov in the FIDE Grand Prix, proving that he remains a strong contender on the global stage.

Also Read: Full list of chess Grandmasters from India

Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand, affectionately known as ‘Vishy’, is the undisputed king among Indian chess players and one of the greatest chess players of all time. Anand’s journey began in the 1980s when he became India’s youngest International Master at the age of 15.

His aggressive and intuitive style quickly earned him recognition on the international stage. In 1988, he became India’s first Grandmaster, a landmark achievement that paved the way for future generations. 

Anand’s greatest moment came when he won the FIDE World Chess Championship in 2000, and again in 2007, he claimed the unified World Championship. He defended his title against legendary players such as Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov. Anand’s influence on Indian chess players cannot be overstated, as he was instrumental in putting Indian chess on the global map. 

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