Traditionally, January is all about Tata Steel tournaments, and the first month of 2024 was no exception. The recently completed "Wimbledon of Chess" impacted the February 2024 rating list the most.

Anish Giri picked 13 rating points and returned to the 4th position for the first time since November 2019.

Photo: Lennart Ootes – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024

The event winner, Wei Yi, the youngest player ever to reach the 2700 mark at 15, made a breakthrough in January. The 24-year-old Chinese GM earned 15 rating points and is debuting in the top 10 Open.

The Women's World Champion Ju Wenjun scored just 4.5/13 in Tata Steel Masters but this result in such a strong field translated into 10 rating points and the return to the second position in the women's rating list.

Photo: Lennart Ootes – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024

Biggest gains in top 100 Open and Women:

Gukesh D became the player to make the greatest progress (in the top 100 Open and Women) thanks to his excellent performance at the Tata Steel Masters. The young Indian edged out Nodirbek Abdusattorov (+17) with whom he tied for first place, and Monika Socko, who earned 17 points in the Rilton Cup and Fraubundesliga.

Photo: Jurriaan Hoefsmit – Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024

Marsel Efroimski collected 15 rating points in the Israel National League and Israel Open Championship, while Kirill Shevchenko (+10) and Bassem Amin (+10) did a great job in the Bundesliga.

Tata Steel 2024 brought about many changes in the junior list, as many high-ranked youngsters participated in both Masters and Challengers. Praggnanandhaa,  Abdusattorov and Gukesh D  top the February 2024 junior list following their strong showing in the Masters, while the winner of the Challengers Leon Luke Mendonca, Marc'Andria Maurizzi and Daniel Dharda, who shared second place in this competition reached their career high.

When it comes to absolute numbers of rating gains, junior players are unchallenged. Kudos to Rose Awell (+239), who skyrocketed from 91st to 14th position in the girls' junior list, Miaoyi Lu (+117), and Iris Mou (+131).