The FIDE Rankings underwent a major shakeup after the conclusion of the Norway Chess 2025. Arjun Erigiasi has made headlines by surpassing Gukesh D to become India’s new no. 1 chess player, marking a significant shift at the top of Indian chess. This shift is not only crucial for indian chess but also a personal achievement for Erigiasi as he achieved peak ranking at world number 3.
Arjun Erigiasi’s Brilliance
In June 2025, FIDE rankings, Arjun Erigiasi climbed to the third in the world with an impressive Elo rating of 2782, overtaking Gukesh D, who now holds fifth spot with 2776 Elo points, behind Fabiano Caruana by just 1 point with 2777. This marks the first time since October 2024 that Erigiasi has regained the No. 1 position among Indian chess players in a published FIDE rankings. This ranking update follows the conclusion of major international events, including the Norway Chess 2025, where both players were in full action.
Erigiasi’s rise to the top is a result of steady performance across several tournaments. While his games from Norway Chess 2025 did not count in the June rating list, the movement of other top players allowed him to climb and regain his spot. Meanwhile, Gukesh D, who had previously dethroned Erigiasi in January after clinching the world championship in Singapore, saw a dramatic dip to fifth position.
What Does It Mean For Gukesh?
Despite losing No. 1 in India, he remains a formidable force on a global stage. His recent performance at Norway Chess 2025, where he finished third, will be remembered for being historic in many ways. He defeated Magnus Carlsen for the first time in classical chess, which shows his consistency and dominance in the sport.
A Golden Era In Indian Chess
As of June 2025, Indian chess is experiencing a golden era, with multiple players in the Top 10 FIDE Rankings. Three Indians, Arjun Erigiasi, Gukesh D, and Praggnanandhaa R, are in the Top 10 FIDE Chess Rankings, while Aravindh Chithambaram trails behind Ian Nepomniachtchi in eleventh position.
Top 15 FIDE Rankings
| # | Name | Fed | Rating | B-Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnus Carlsen | NOR | 2837 | 1990 |
| 2 | Hikaru Nakamura | USA | 2804 | 1987 |
| 3 | Arjun Erigaisi | IND | 2782 | 2003 |
| 4 | Fabiano Caruana | USA | 2777 | 1992 |
| 5 | Gukesh Dommaraju | IND | 2776 | 2006 |
| 6 | Nodirbek Abdusattorov | UZB | 2767 | 2004 |
| 7 | R Praggnanandhaa | IND | 2767 | 2005 |
| 8 | Alireza Firouzja | FRA | 2766 | 2003 |
| 9 | Wei Yi | CHN | 2758 | 1999 |
| 10 | Ian Nepomniachtchi | RUS | 2757 | 1990 |
| 11 | Aravindh Chithambaram | IND | 2749 | 1999 |
| 12 | Anish Giri | NED | 2748 | 1994 |
| 13 | Shakhriyar Mamedyarov | AZE | 2746 | 1985 |
| 14 | Wesley So | USA | 2745 | 1993 |
| 15 | Viswanathan Anand | IND | 2743 | 1969 |
Also Read: Magnus Carlsen Admits Game Against Gukesh Will “Stick” Despite Winning Norway Chess 2025
