Gukesh raised his rating from 2751 to 2755.9

This is the first time in 37 years that India has a new number one

Gukesh became the youngest player to get to a rating of more than 2750

Dommaraju Gukesh won consecutive games against GM (Grandmaster) Misratdin Iskandarov from Azerbaijan in the 2nd round of the FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) World Cup 2023 raised his rating from 2751 to 2755.9. This moved him to the rank of world number 9, overtaking Vishwanathan Anand whose rating was 2754. This has been the first time in 37 years that India has a new number one. It is to be noted however that Vishwanathan Anand is in a state of semi-retirement for more than 2 years for now. 

Incidentally, Gukesh had also become the youngest player to get to a rating of more than 2750 at the age of 17 years and 2 months, last month. He had broken 5-times world champion, GM Magnus Carlsen’s record who had reached the feat at 17 years and 4 months. 

Vishwanathan Anand was on commentary duties while Gukesh was busy breaking records. 

“The most significant thing is that he is in the top 10. Maybe the first Indian after me to be there. It’s a notable achievement. The World Championship title is still a goal for this generation. They have targets ahead of them,” Vishwanathan Anand said in an interaction with NDTV India. Vishwanathan Anand had arranged for intensive training for Gukesh when he had crossed the rating of 2700 by assigning Polish GM Grzegorz Gajewski as his trainer.