Know all about R Praggnanandhaa: The Chess prodigy on the precipice of history

With a phenomenal performance in the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023, India's R Praggnandhaa has barged into the minds of sports fanatics and has become a household name. The chess prodigy's victories in the tournament are echoing at a frequency that the sound of glory has turned many of the oblivions into knowers. After ages, the interest in chess has leapt up to its right position, and with it, there comes curiosity among the citizens to know more about the grand master, who is behind this swift transition.

3 things you need to know

• India's R Praggnanandhaa reached the final of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023
• World No.1 Magnus Carlsen is in front of him in the final
• Pragg has qualified for the Candidates Tournament

Also Read | WATCH: Praggnanandhaa uses Magnus Carlsen's own trick against world no.1 in Chess WC final

India's R Praggnanandhaa reachjes the final of FIDE Chess World Cup 2023

Having beaten World No. 3 and World No. 2, in the form of Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura, it is the daunting challenge of Magnus Carlsen that is standing between Pragg and the eminent Chess World Cup trophy. While a win over the 5-time World Champion would script a chronicle tale, the GM has already attained enormity by becoming the second Indian ever, after Viswanathan Anand, to reach the final of the Chess World Cup and thereby qualifying for the Candidates Tournament. The long wait is over, and it is a likely scenario that the nation where the game originated, will witness the rise of another flag carrier. However, before the spree of titles that seems inevitable, let's get to know a little more about India's new-generation chess superstar.

READ: Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen, Chess World Cup 2023 Final LIVE updates: All to play for

Also Read | 'It is good to see so many people following chess': R. Praggnanandhaa on humongous viewership of Chess WC final

Brief about Praggnanandhaa 

Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, in 2005, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa was introduced to chess very early in his tender years. After winning many national competitions, he made his maiden mark on the global stage in 2013 when he won the World Youth Chess Championship Under-8.  At the age of 10, he became the International Master, the youngest at the time to do so, and at just age 12, he completed his Grand Master norm. In 2016, he became the youngest ever to defeat Magnus Carlsen, a record that was later broken by his countrymate Gukesh. He went on to beat Carlsen 3 times in the FTX Crypto Cup 2022. In 2023, he defeated the current World Champion Ding Liren at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023. The thing that veneered the victory was that it came in the classical category. He is not the only chess prodigy in his family. His sister R Vaishaii holds the titles of FIDE International Master and Women Grand Master.

Thus, wins over the foremost players give a forecast of how his trajectory could be. The country would hope that Praggnandhaa would take over the baton from Viswanathan Anand and write a history of his own. And what may happen in the future, might start from today.