Chess is a game of intellect, strategy and creativity. It is also a game that requires dedication, discipline and passion. Praggnanandhaa, a 17-year-old chess grandmaster from Tamil Nadu, India, has all these qualities and more. He is a chess prodigy who has conquered the world of chess with his remarkable feats and records. He is also a national pride who has been conferred the Arjuna Award 2022, one of the highest sporting honors in India.
Praggnanandhaa, whose full name is Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, started playing chess at the age of six, following his elder sister Vaishali, who is also a chess player. He soon showed his talent and potential by winning several national and international tournaments in his age category. He became the youngest international master in history at the age of 10, and the second-youngest grandmaster in history at the age of 12. He also became the youngest player to defeat then-world champion Magnus Carlsen in a rapid game at the age of 16.
Praggnanandhaa’s Success in Chess
Praggnanandhaa’s success in chess can be attributed to his talent, hard work and passion. He has won many prestigious titles and tournaments in his chess career, such as:
- World Youth Chess Championship Under-8 title in 2013 1
- World Youth Chess Championship Under-10 title in 2015 1
- Xtracon Chess Open in Denmark in 2019 2
- World Youth Chess Championship Under-18 title in 2019 3
- Polgar Challenge, part of the Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour, in 2021 4
- Asian Continental Chess Championship in 2021
Records
Praggnanandhaa’s success in chess has not only earned him fame and recognition but also respect and admiration from his peers and mentors. He has been praised by many chess legends and experts, such as Viswanathan Anand, India’s first grandmaster and five-time world champion; Wesley So, one of the top players in the world; Judit Polgar, the strongest female player of all time; Sachin Tendulkar, India’s cricket icon; and Magnus Carlsen himself.
Praggnanandhaa has also achieved many impressive records and feats in chess, such as:
- Becoming the youngest international master in history at the age of 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days
- Becoming the second-youngest grandmaster in history at the age of 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days
- Becoming the youngest player to defeat then-world champion Magnus Carlsen in a rapid game at the age of 16 years, 6 months, and 12 days
- Becoming the second-youngest player to achieve a rating of 2600 at the age of 14 years, 3 months, and 24 days
Praggnanandhaa’s Challenges and Difficulties
Praggnanandhaa has overcome these challenges and difficulties with his resilience, perseverance and optimism. He has also received support and guidance from his family, friends, coaches and mentors, who have helped him to grow and improve as a chess player and as a person.
Praggnanandhaa’s success in chess has not come without challenges and difficulties. He has faced many obstacles and hurdles in his chess journey, such as:
- Lack of resources: Praggnanandhaa comes from a humble background where his parents had to struggle to provide him with adequate facilities and opportunities for his chess training. He did not have access to advanced technology or coaching that many of his competitors had. He had to rely on his own talent and determination to overcome these limitations.
- Lack of support: Praggnanandhaa did not receive much support or encouragement from his school or society for his chess pursuits. He had to balance his chess and academic commitments, which often conflicted with each other. He also had to face criticism and skepticism from some people who did not appreciate or understand his passion for chess.
- Lack of experience: Praggnanandhaa had to compete with players who were much older and more experienced than him. He had to deal with the pressure and expectations of being a prodigy and a sensation. He also had to cope with the disappointment and frustration of losing or failing in some of his games or tournaments.
Praggnanandhaa’s Goals and Aspirations
Praggnanandhaa is working hard and smart to achieve his goals and aspirations. He is training regularly with his coaches and mentors, who are helping him to hone his skills and strategies. He is also playing frequently with other players, who are challenging him to test his abilities and learn from his mistakes.
Praggnanandhaa’s goals and aspirations for the future are to continue his chess journey and to achieve his dreams. He has expressed his desire to:
Become the world champion
Praggnanandhaa’s ultimate goal is to become the world champion in chess, which is the highest honor and achievement in the game. He has said that he wants to emulate his idol, Viswanathan Anand, who has won the world championship five times. He has also said that he wants to challenge Magnus Carlsen, who is the current world champion and the highest-rated player in history.
Become the best player
Praggnanandhaa’s ambition is to become the best player in chess, which means to reach the highest level of skill and performance in the game. He has said that he wants to improve his rating, which is a measure of a player’s strength and ranking. He has also said that he wants to win more titles and tournaments, especially the prestigious ones such as the Grand Chess Tour, the World Cup, the Candidates Tournament, and the Chess Olympiad.
Inspire others
Praggnanandhaa’s aspiration is to inspire others with his chess story and achievements. He has said that he wants to motivate and encourage more people, especially children, to play chess and to pursue their passions. He has also said that he wants to represent India and to make his country proud.
Conclusion
Praggnanandhaa is a chess prodigy and a national pride. He is a 17-year-old chess grandmaster from Tamil Nadu, India, who has achieved remarkable feats and records in chess. He is also an Arjuna Award 2022 recipient, one of the highest sporting honors in India.
Praggnanandhaa’s success in chess can be attributed to his talent, hard work and passion. He has won many prestigious titles and tournaments in his chess career, such as the World Youth Chess Championship Under-8 title in 2013, the Xtracon Chess Open in Denmark in 2019, and the Asian Continental Chess Championship in 2021. He has also achieved many impressive records and feats in chess, such as becoming the youngest international master in history at the age of 10, becoming the second-youngest grandmaster in history at the age of 12, becoming the youngest player to defeat then-world champion Magnus Carlsen in a rapid game at the age of 16, and becoming the second-youngest player to achieve a rating of 2600 at the age of 14.
