In a significant development in Indian chess, Grandmaster S. L. Narayanan of Thiruvananthapuram has overtaken reigning World Chess Champion D. Gukesh in the FIDE blitz live ratings, underscoring his rising stature in faster time formats of the game.
Narayanan’s climb came courtesy of a dominant performance at the Shakti Grandeur 9.0 Blitz Tournament in Vadodara, where he finished with an imposing 8.5 points out of 9, clinching the title and earning a sharp boost in his blitz rating.
Against a strong field, Narayanan took down esteemed compatriots including Grandmasters Abhimanyu Puranik and S. P. Sethuraman, showcasing tactical depth and consistency throughout the nine rounds. His fine form is expected to translate into a gain of at least seven FIDE blitz rating points, lifting him to around 2650 Elo on the live list.
In contrast, D. Gukesh, the 18-year-old who etched his name in chess history by becoming the youngest World Chess Champion in the classical format in late 2024, currently sits on approximately 2646 Elo in blitz. While Gukesh remains largely focused on classical chess and has not competed in recent blitz events, Narayanan’s surge places him ahead in the fastest time control among Indian elite players.
Narayanan’s breakthrough in blitz also propels him into the top 50 of the world blitz rankings, an impressive milestone for the Kerala master known for his sharp play in rapid formats. This follows a fortnight of strong performances by Malayali players, with fellow Indian Nihal Sarin also recently outplaying Gukesh in rapid format at the Menorca Masters.
Reflecting on his impressive showing, Narayanan said, “I have always thrived in faster games, and this victory gives me confidence to push further on the global stage.” Meanwhile, observers note that Gukesh’s focus on classical chess continues to bolster his stature as a world champion, even as blitz specialists like Narayanan rise steadily in other formats.
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