New Delhi: MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, extended his warm congratulations to D Gukesh, the 17-year-old chess prodigy. D Gukesh achieved a momentous feat by ending Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand's 37-year reign as India's top chess player, securing a prominent position in the live world rankings.

Taking Twitter, Stalin lauded and commended the young chess player with these words: "Congratulations, Grandmaster @DGukesh, on your incredible achievement of breaking into the top 10 of the world (FIDE) rankings for the first time. Your unwavering determination and exceptional skills have propelled you to the pinnacle of chess, making you the highest-rated Indian player. Your accomplishment serves as an inspiration to young talents everywhere and is a moment of pride for Tamil Nadu."

With nearly a month left until the next official FIDE rating list on September 1, it is highly probable that the 17-year-old sensation will ascend to the top 10 in the world, cementing his position as the highest-rated Indian player.

Gukesh's remarkable performance in the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, included a victory against Mistradin Iskandarov, which elevated his live rating to 2755.9 and secured him the ninth spot in the classic open category. Consequently, Anand's rating dropped to tenth place with a score of 2754.0.

It's noteworthy that Anand has only slipped to second place in the live world rankings twice since 1986, making Gukesh's achievement even more remarkable.

The chess world is enraptured by Gukesh's stellar display, and all eyes are now on his upcoming encounter against the Azerbaijani opponent.

A draw in this crucial match will propel him to the second round, while another victory will not only elevate his live rating but also surpass Anand in both the live ratings and the world rankings. Additionally, he is closing in on Alireza Firouzja, one of the brightest emerging talents in the chess world, who is currently not competing in Baku.

Gukesh's ascent to the top 10 marks him as the third Indian player to achieve this distinction, following in the footsteps of Anand and Pentala Harikrishna.

MK Stalin announces Rs. 3L compensation for TN fire victims' families

Ticket Sales Open for Hero Asian Champions Trophy Chennai 2023