Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has once again brought glory to the nation. At the esteemed Norway Chess Tournament, this young Grandmaster etched his name in history by securing his first classical victory against the reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen. After three rounds, the 18-year-old, who has previously bested Carlsen in rapid and exhibition games, took the lead with an impressive 5.5 points.

R Praggnanandhaa’s Ascendancy in Indian Chess

Earlier, Praggnanandhaa ascended to the pinnacle of Indian chess by triumphing over the current world champion, China’s Ding Liren, during the 4th round of the Tata Steel Masters tournament. This victory propelled him past the legendary Viswanathan Anand in rankings, marking a significant milestone in his career.

In 2023, at the age of 18, Praggnanandhaa made headlines once more by defeating the World No. 3 Grandmaster in the FIDE Chess World Cup tournament. This achievement made him the second Indian to ever reach the finals of the Chess World Cup, where he faced none other than World No. 1, Magnus Carlsen.

A Pivotal Achievement in Indian Chess

Playing with the white pieces, Praggnanandhaa’s victory relegated home favorite Carlsen to fifth place in the standings. Classical chess, often referred to as slow chess, affords players more time to deliberate their moves, typically lasting at least an hour per game.

In their previous three encounters in this format, Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa had drawn. Additionally, Praggnanandhaa’s sister, R Vaishali, triumphed in the women’s tournament, finishing with 5.5 points after drawing her match with Anna Muzychuk.

R Praggnanandhaa’s Historic Achievement

Praggnanandhaa has consistently showcased his prodigious talent on the

global stage. His recent performances have reaffirmed his status as a chess prodigy. At 18, Praggnanandhaa clinched a stunning victory by defeating the 31-year-old US Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana in a tiebreaker, thus securing his spot in the World Chess Championship finals held in Baku, Arizona.

Viswanathan Anand, greatly impressed by Praggnanandhaa’s prowess, publicly celebrated his victory on Twitter. Numerous politicians, including Rahul Gandhi, lauded Praggnanandhaa for his remarkable achievement, which brought immense pride to the nation on a global scale.

Public and Professional Recognition

The chess community and enthusiasts worldwide celebrated Praggnanandhaa’s victory. One Twitter user encapsulated the sentiment by saying, “This guy is already a legend! I hope he gets even 1% of the recognition that cricketers get.”

Praggnanandhaa’s triumphs in the FIDE tournament were nothing short of spectacular. His victory over American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in another tiebreaker was a particularly emotional moment, especially for his mother.

Praggnanandhaa’s Early Years and Rapid Rise

R Praggnanandhaa began competing in international chess tournaments at the age of 10, becoming the youngest player to attain the title of International Master at that age. By 12, he had become a chess grandmaster, the second youngest to achieve this feat.

Praggnanandhaa’s journey in chess has been nothing short of extraordinary. His victories and consistent performances have not only brought him personal accolades but have also elevated the status of Indian chess on the global stage. As he continues to compete and triumph, the world watches in anticipation of his next move.

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