Following the 2026 Tata Steel Chess Tournament (see prior article in series), the International Chess Federation (FIDE) released its March 2026 classical rating list on March 1. Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov re-entered the top 5 after his Masters victory, while Indian world champion Gukesh Dommaraju dropped to 11th, ending India's top-10 presence. Other notable gainers emerged from Tata Steel and global events.
The March 2026 FIDE rating list incorporates results from the Tata Steel Masters and Challengers (concluded February 1; covered in prior series article), alongside Swiss events worldwide. Abdusattorov returned to the top 5 after 19 months away, thanks to his Tata Steel Masters triumph. Bibisara Assaubayeva re-entered the women's top 10 via Challengers results.
Top gainers included Sri Lankan teen Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana (+87 points from European events like SixDays Budapest and Rochefort Chess Festival). Aydin Suleymanli gained 25 points (Azerbaijan Championship bronze and Tata Challengers). Tata Steel standouts Jorden Van Foreest, Javokhir Sindarov, and Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus hit career-high top-100 open spots. Challengers winner Andy Woodward debuted in the open top 100 (+23), Carissa Yip entered women's top 15, and Rose Atwell debuted in women's top 100 after the Southwest Class Championship.
Gukesh (2748) fell to 11th, impacted by recent Tata Steel (9th place) and Prague Festival loss, plus FIDE's reinstatement of Sergey Karjakin. Arjun Erigaisi (2745, 12th) and R Praggnanandhaa (2741, 14th) follow; 12 Indians in open top 100. Magnus Carlsen leads at 2840.
Women's: Hou Yifan tops at 2596, Koneru Humpy 5th (2535), Divya Deshmukh 12th (2497).
