In the Chess World Cup 2023, 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa has achieved the distinction of being India’s youngest player to reach the final. Praggnanandhaa secured victory over Fabiano Caruana in tie-breaks during the semi-finals of the Chess World Cup 2023. Remarkably, he has also become the second Indian, following in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand, to reach the final in the history of the Chess World Cup.
India’s chess prodigy, Praggnanandhaa, is currently facing off against the world’s number one player, Magnus Carlsen, in the FIDE World Cup final.
FIDE World Cup Final: Praggnanandhaa vs. Carlsen Opens with Draw
In the first game of the FIDE World Cup final between Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Magnus Carlsen, held on Tuesday, the match concluded in a draw after 35 moves. Praggnanandhaa, playing with the white pieces, initially had a time advantage but was unable to capitalize on it and eventually found himself facing time pressure towards the end of the game.
Both competitors are set to resume for Game 2 in the final tonight. Praggnanandhaa caused an upset by defeating World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals’ tie-break on Monday, earning a place in the summit clash against Carlsen at the FIDE World Cup. Securing a spot in the final, Praggnanandhaa now ranks as the third youngest player, following the footsteps of the legendary Bobby Fischer and Carlsen, to qualify for the Candidates tournament.
Accomplishments and Milestones of Young Chess Sensation Praggnanandhaa
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, an Indian grandmaster, holds the distinction of being the fourth-youngest GM in history as of April 2021. He achieved this title at the remarkable age of 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days, making him the youngest international master ever. Praggnanandhaa’s impressive record includes three world youth titles: U8 in 2013, U10 in 2015, and U18 in 2019. In 2019, at just 13 years old, he secured victory in the Xtracon Chess Open, finishing with a remarkable undefeated score of 8.5/10 points. Notably, he outperformed a strong field that included 13 GMs ranked over 2600. Additionally, in April 2021, Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious in the Polgar Challenge, earning him a spot in the upcoming leg of the Champions Chess Tour.
In the 2022 FIDE Olympiad, he contributed to the Indian team’s bronze medal by scoring an impressive 6.5/9 on the third board, resulting in a performance rating of 2767. Additionally, in the same year, he emerged victorious in the Asian Continental Chess Championship. Continuing his progress, Praggnanandhaa reached a live rating of 2700 for the first time in July 2023.
Rising from Chennai: The Chess Journey of Praggnanandhaa
Born on August 10, 2005, in Chennai, Praggnanandhaa developed a passion for chess at a remarkably young age. Inspired by his elder sister Vaishali, he began playing chess at the tender age of 2. Praggnanandhaa’s talent and dedication led to significant achievements in his chess career. He attained the prestigious title of Grandmaster in 2018 and followed it up with the title of international master in 2021.
At the remarkably young age of 10, Praggnanandhaa accomplished a remarkable feat by becoming the youngest ever to achieve the title of international chess master. His exceptional skills and achievements have solidified his place in the history of Indian chess. Praggnanandhaa became only the second player from India, following in the footsteps of the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to reach the final of the World Cup. Furthermore, his outstanding performance earned him a spot in the Candidates tournament in 2024, showcasing his potential for future success.
