Biography

R Praggnanandhaa is an Indian Chess Grandmaster, the young Indian chess sensation who was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Pragg’s sister, Vaishali, is also a well-known chess player, who holds IM and Woman Grandmaster titles. Being a child Prodigy, Praggnanandhaa gained the title of International Master at the age of 10. At the age of 12, Praggnanandhaa became a Grand Master. Praggnanandhaa’s father is Rameshbabu, who works as a breach manager at TNSC Bank. Rameshbabu was affected by polio from a very young age. Praggnanandhaa’s father and mother supported him and his sister and encouraged them to pursue a career in chess. Rameshbabu is a person with a disability as he was affected by polio at a young age. Pragg’s mother, Nagalakshmi, is solely in charge of taking the children to school and extracurricular activities. With the family of four members sustaining on a single income, they had to tighten their purse twine. "But the passion for him to play chess was rebellious, I had to give in and put him in coaching classes. And he has been unrestrained since," his father says.

“ஈன்ற பொழுதின் பெரிதுவக்கும் தன்மகனைச் சான்றோன் எனக்கேட்ட தாய்”

From Toddler to Chess Prodigy

Praggnanandhaa's assignment with chess began at an unexpectedly tender age. At just two years old, he found himself attracted to the game, inspired by his older sister, Vaishali, who herself would later become a grandmaster in 2018 and an international master in 2021.

Big dreams in those big eyes!

"Pragg is one of the most ambitious chess players of his generation. He knew that chess was going to be his life when he was 8 years old. He's always thought process of chess," says his coach RB Ramesh. He has been training him since he was seven years old. The son of a bank manager father and homemaker mother, Praggnanandhaa is also a "Kindly and jolly young man", Ramesh said. He likes playing table tennis and cricket with friends in Chennai and watches Tamil language comedies on TV. "He was just six years old when he came second in the Under-8 national championship. That is when I knew that I can't hold him back because of our financial situation. I put him in RB Ramesh sir's coaching class soon after that," he adjoins.

The Flourishing of a Chess Genius

He credited the Bloom Chess Academy with helping him develop his skills and is undoubtedly an inspiration for aspiring chess players everywhere. At the age of six, he secured the second rank in the under-7 Indian championships, predicting his dazzling rise. He went on to cinch gold at the Asian Championships, a victory that tossed him into the international spotlight. The young chess sensation continued his victorious stripe by winning the World Youth Chess Championships in both the under-8 and under-10 categories.

When you dream big you definitely need someone to hold you. Big sister Vaishali has always been by Pragg's side just like in this picture!

Conquering the Board

In 2016, Praggnanandhaa inscribed his name into the annals of chess history. Aged just 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days, he achieved the desired title of international chess master, becoming the youngest ever to do so. This milestone was a testament to his undeviating dedication and odd talent.

A Light of Hope

As Praggnanandhaa prepares for the ultimate cessation against Carlsen, he carries with him the hopes and dreams of millions of Indians. The support precipitating in from all corners is a testimony to his growing influence in the world of sports. Action figures such as Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia, and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik have extended their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to this young chess master.

The Future Beckons

Pragg became the first Indian to reach the finals of the Chess World Cup after Viswanath Anand. Praggnanandhaa's journey is a testament to the power of loyalty, support, and steady belief in one's dreams. While he may not yet be a formidable player in classical chess, his journey is far from over.

In the world of chess, where each move carries the weight of plan and wizard, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has arisen as a beacon of hope for India and a rising star on the global stage. His journey reminds us that with determination and support, there are no limits to what one can achieve.

As he faces Magnus Carlsen in the finals, the world eagerly watches to see if this young chess sensation can defy the odds once again. Many believe that Praggnanandhaa’s victory over Magnus (in 2022) will surely become a turning point in his career as he will have more confidence in his profile. Praggnanandhaa’s vivid achievements have not only been acknowledged nationally but also internationally. Praggnanandhaa’s tournaments and his performance are often covered by many newspapers and articles.

“To him, playing is nurturing the love he has for the game”

Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the World Cup final, “To him, playing is about expressing the love he has for the game,” Praggnanandhaa's father said when he became India’s youngest chess grandmaster at the time in 2018.

'Play well', however, is a belittlement when it comes to the Rameshbabu clan."He has learned this far because of his dedication, loyalty, and commitment to the game. His trainer is to thank for his game reaching this level," says Rameshbabu.

Praggnanandhaa rehearsals the game for at least six hours a day. In addition to this, he attends weekly camps held by his coach that last from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. He also observes matches played by senior players online, hoping to continually learn more. "He plays other outside games too when he wants to relax his mind. When his focus is not on the board, he is fully a handful. But he saves most of his hostility for the chessboard," Rameshbabu says with a smile. Like many others of his generation, Praggnanandhaa took up chess inspired by Viswanathan Anand, who revolutionized the sport in the country. India clearly needs more capitalized sponsors to fulfill its chess potential. "We need more support for everyone.”

Praggnanandhaa vs. Carlsen: A Battle of Wits

Praggnanandhaa's journey to the final has been impressive. He stunned everyone by defeating the World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals. He has also become the third youngest player to qualify for the Candidates tournament, following the captions of Bobby Fischer and Carlsen. Carls didn't have a graceful time in Baku, the venue for the final, as he exposed after the game that he had food poisoning a couple of days earlier. Eventually, the World No. 1 held his own against the young challenger.

Praggnanandhaa has created history. He has become the youngest chess player in the world to reach the finals of the FIDE World Cup and also the 2nd Indian after Vishy Anand to qualify for the Candidates tournament. He did so with fizzy wins over Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana.

In a highly scheduled showdown at the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) World Cup final, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faced off against the ruling World Number One, Magnus Carlsen. In a game filled with strategic manipulates and tactical brilliance, Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen engaged in a captivating duel. After 35 moves, the tighten on the chessboard reached its peak, resulting in a hard-put draw. This deadlock showcased the immense skill and determination of both grandmasters. Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's dream run in the FIDE World Cup ended at the hands of world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, who beat him 1.5-0.5 in the tie-breaks after the classical games ended in a stalemate.

But for now, Praggnanandhaa is cornering the chess spotlight - again. 

"He believes he is at the beginning of his journey and he has a lot more to attain," Ramesh said.

"You will hear more about him in the future".

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