Aravindh Chithambaram makes a steady climb to World no.26

December 2024 saw very little but significant changes. Most of the top players either did not play any Classical rated tournaments or any event. Only two Indians at the top, Arjun Erigaisi and Aravindh Chithambaram gained valuable rating points. Arjun Erigaisi got a published rating of 2801. He maintained his place at World no.4. Aravindh Chithambaram moved up from World no. 29 to 26.

GM Arjun Erigaisi has a published rating 2801

A fantastic victory at Chennai Grand Masters earned GM Aravindh Chithambaram 12.1 Elo rating points and take his rating to 2718

GM Leon Luke Mendonca gained 11.9 Elo rating points at Chennai Grand Masters 2024 Challengers. His rating is now 2642

Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, Vishy Anand and R Praggnanandhaa are in World top 20 | Source: FIDE

There are a dozen Indians in World Top 100 | Source: FIDE

After becoming the youngest rated player ever, Anish Sarkar got a rapid rating of 1524 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Women: Four Indians in Top 18

Four Indian women are now in top 18. They are - GM Koneru Humpy, World no.6, IM Divya Deshmukh, World no.14, GM Harika Dronavalli, World no. 16 and GM R Vaishali, World no.18 among women. Currently, there are eight Indians among the top 100 women, same as the previous rating list.

Four Indians in World Top 18 among Women | Source: FIDE

Eight Indians are among World Top 100 Women | Source: FIDE

Countries

India is still no.2 in December FIDE Rating list in terms of average rating of top ten players, 12 Elo rating points behind the USA. The gap between USA and India got increased from 11 to 12 from November to December.

India is only 12 average Elo rating points behind the USA | Source: FIDE