Who made the biggest leaps in the FIDE chess rankings in 2025? From Vincent Keymer, Anish Giri, Praggnanandhaa to Jose Martinez and Yagiz Kan Erdoğan, learn the stories of their remarkable rise in this analysis. See who has taken the chess world by storm!
Chess ratings are not just a number, they are a map of a player’s consistent success. While FIDE now updates the ratings monthly, the real rise is seen in how far someone has progressed over the years. Let’s take a look at the extraordinary journey of 2025, where old wizards, arrogant teenagers and warriors regained their lost glory have all been lost.
The Kings of the Top 100 Campaign: Those Who Soared Higher
2025 was a year of celebration for some of the top grandmasters. They were already at the top, but they strengthened their position with eye-catching progress.
| Player Name | Country | Key Achievements in 2025 | Career Position & Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vincent Keymer | Germany | Strong results in German Championship, Chennai Grandmasters, European Team and Club Championships. | Achieved career-high ranking (4th). Set a milestone in German chess history. |
| Anish Giri | Netherlands | Won 8th Sharjah Masters and FIDE Grand Swiss; strong performance at European Club Cup. | Returned to top 10 (6th) after 15 months. Opened the door to World Championship qualification. |
| Matthias Bluebaum | Germany | Won “Double Crown” at European Team Championship (individual board and team); +23 points at FIDE Grand Swiss. | Made history in team competitions and proved his strength in tough tournaments like Grand Swiss. |
| R. Praggnanandhaa | India | Won Tata Steel Masters and Stepan Avagyan Memorial; joint winner at Sinquefield Cup. | Winner of 2025 FIDE Circuit. Solidified his place among the world’s elite through consistent success in super-tournaments. |
- Vincent Kaymer: Making history with a fourth place
The German talent did not give up despite a few setbacks at the start of the year. His brilliant performances at the German Championship, Chennai Grandmasters, European Team and Club Championships have pushed him to a career-high fourth place in the January 2026 rankings. This is not only a personal triumph for him, but also a milestone for the German chess world.
- Anish Giri: A royal comeback
The ‘professor’ of the chess world is back in the top 10 after 15 months, taking sixth place! Behind his triumphant journey was his 8th Sharjah Masters victory and most importantly, the FIDE Grand Swiss victory. The Grand Swiss victory not only boosted his ratings, but also opened the door for the World Championship for him.
- Matthias Bluebaum and Praggnanandhaa: Two different styles of victory
Matthias Bluebaum created history by winning the Double Crown at the European Team Championships and added +23 points at the Grand Swiss.
India’s unheralded prince Praggnanandhaa continues his sparkling form. Tata Steel Masters and Stepan Avagyan Memorial victories, as well as joint victory at the Sinquefield Cup, have made him the 2025 FIDE Circuit champion. He is cementing his place among the world’s top players with regular super-tournament wins.
New Stars: Chess Players Entering the Top 100 (2025)
The most exciting aspect of the ratings list is the emergence of stars who were outside the top 100 at the beginning of the year, but have made themselves undeniable by the end of the year.
| Player Name | Country | Rating Gain | Final Position (Est.) | Key Achievements & Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Martinez Alcantara | Peru | +61 | Top 50 | Rapid rise starting from May. Such a massive jump in seven months is rare in the chess world. |
| Yagiz Can Erdogmus | Turkey | +59 | 57th | Step-by-step rise through consistent success. |
| Eltaj Safarli | Azerbaijan | +35 | Top 100 | Returned to top 100 after six years. Strong results in Indonesia, Germany tournaments and European Club Cup. |
| Nikolaos Theodorou | Greece | +37 | 71st | Consolidated position through consistent performance. |
| Alexander Donchenko | Germany | +33 | 49th | Reached near top 50 through steady improvement. |
| Lu Shanglei | China | +27 | 80th | Demonstrated reliable performance. |
| Pranav V | India | +26 | 82nd | Made his presence known as a young talent. |
| Abhimanyu Mishra | United States | +29 | 96th | Continued progress as one of the youngest grandmasters. |
| Pranesh M | India | +42 | 98th | Achieved significant rating increase. |
- José Martínez Alcántara (+61): His meteoric rise since May has catapulted him straight into the top 50. Such a big jump in just seven months is rare in the chess world.
- Yagiz Can Erdoğan (+59): The Turkish wonder has reached 57th place by the end of the year with little but steady progress. His progress shows that consistency is the key to ultimate success.
- Eltaz Safarli (+35): He is the hero of the most unique story on this list. After six years, he has returned to the top 100 chess club with his sharp play in tournaments in Indonesia and Germany and the European Club Cup. It is not just a story of regaining the rating, but a story of indomitable spirit.
In addition, stars like Nicholas Theodorou (+37), Alexander Donchenko (+33), Lu Shangli (+27), Pranab V (+26), Abhimanyu Mishra (+29) and Pranesh M (+42) have proven with their consistent performances that their arrival at the World Chess Championship is no accident.
How did this explosion happen? The secret to the rating increase
1. Strategic tournament selection: Many players have joined specific tournaments according to their form and opportunities and have earned huge points there. Such as Grand Swiss, Club Cup or Masters events.
2. The triumph of young power: This list clearly shows that chess is now a game for the young. Many players under 20 are taking points from the established players with their excellent calculation power and preparation.
3. The return of mental toughness: The stories of Anish Giri or Eltaz Safarli prove that chess is not just a game of calculations, but also a game of the mind. After going through difficult times, you can return to the top.
A reflection of a dynamic era
The 2025 rating story is not just about numbers; it is a story of perseverance, comeback, and the awakening of new strength. Vincent Kaimer and Anish Giri showed how experience is forged, while young people like Jose Martinez or Erdoğan showed the call of the future. Overall, the chess world is now more exciting, uncertain, and vibrant than ever before. Read more