The grandmaster, known as Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, boasts an impressive chess career. As of April 2021, he holds the distinction of being the fourth-youngest Grandmaster globally, achieving this feat at just 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days old. His exceptional talents were evident from an early age, earning him the title of the youngest international master ever. Praggnanandhaa has clinched three world youth titles in various age categories, demonstrating his prowess.
In 2019, at a mere 13 years old, he emerged victorious in the Xtracon Chess Open, outperforming a formidable field of 13 Grandmasters. Subsequently, in April 2021, he triumphed in the Polgar Challenge, securing a place in the Champions Chess Tour.
His remarkable achievements continued in 2022, with a bronze medal win at the FIDE Olympiad and a victory in the Asian Continental Chess Championship. In July 2023, Praggnanandhaa reached a live rating of 2700, and he further impressed the chess world with a second-place finish in the FIDE World Cup, becoming the youngest player to reach the final. His performance secured a spot in the 2024 Candidates Tournament, solidifying his status as one of the youngest candidates in chess history, following in the footsteps of legends like Magnus Carlsen and Bobby Fischer.
He is again in news all over when Sports Minister Shri Anurag Thakur felicitated India’s new chess sensation at his residence and he expressed his confidence of winning gold at Asian Games.
