The 2025 Tata Steel Chess Tournament witnessed a gripping finale, as India's D. Gukesh— competing in his first major event as World Champion—faced intense competition in the final rounds. The tournament, often referred to as the Wimbledon of Chess saw Gukesh fighting for the title against some of the world’s best, including his compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa.

In his last classical game, Gukesh went head-to-head with fellow Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi. The highly anticipated match, however, did not go in Gukesh’s favor, as Erigaisi played an aggressive and precise game, securing victory in just 31 moves. This unexpected loss allowed Praggnanandhaa, despite his own defeat against Germany’s Vincent Keymer, to tie with Gukesh at 8.5 points, forcing a playoff.

With the championship at stake, the two young Indian prodigies—Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa—entered a high-intensity tiebreak. Gukesh started strong, winning the first blitz game, but Praggnanandhaa responded with resilience, claiming victory in the next two games to seal his first Tata Steel Masters title. Gukesh had opportunities, particularly in the third blitz game, where he obtained a favorable position. However, a critical endgame miscalculation cost him the championship.

Despite the heartbreaking finish, Gukesh’s performance was impressive. He gained 10.2 rating points, propelling him to World No. 3 in the FIDE rankings. His journey through the tournament, leading the standings from Rounds 9 to 11, demonstrated his immense talent and determination.

The tournament underscored the dominance of India's young chess stars. With four under21 players Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov finishing among the top eight globally, it is clear that the new generation is taking over the chess world.

With his growing experience and ability to handle high pressure games, he remains a formidable force for future championships, including the Candidates Tournament and potential future World Championship title defense.