India and China Dominate FIDE May 2025 Chess Ratings

The FIDE May 2025 rating list for classical chess underscores the remarkable dominance of the Asian nations – India and China – in the overall and women’s top 10 rankings.

In the overall list, India boasts an impressive presence with three players in the top 10 and five in the top 20. With players like World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju, who has climbed to a career-high world number three; Arjun Erigaisi at #4, who has cemented his place in the top 5; and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, back in the top 10 after his Tata Steel Masters triumph. This surge of this formidable trio to the top reflects India’s chess revolution, fuelled by prodigies mentored by legends like Viswanathan Anand. Not far behind is the newly minted Indian Super GM, Aravindh Chithambaram, who has been climbing up the ranks like stairs, now at world #12 with 2749.

China, meanwhile, continues to exude its terror on the women’s rating list with a strong presence of 5 players in the top 10;

In addition to Hou Yifan maintaining her #1 position, the reigning women’s world champion, Ju Wenjun, strongly claims the #2. Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie, two of the world championship challengers, also stand strong in the ranks, while the 22-year-old Zhu Jiner hit her peak rating of 2541 after her Pune Grand Prix success. Not to mention the brilliance of Wei Yi (CHN, #8) in the open and Koneru Humpy (IND, #5) in the women’s lists. India’s Divya Deshmukh, who has previously touched the 2500 mark, shines as the top female junior, hinting at future dominance.

This Indo-Chinese supremacy highlights their strategic depth, cultural emphasis on chess, and robust training systems, setting the stage for a thrilling global chess landscape.

Graphic courtesy: International Federation of Chess (FIDE)