This tiny tot counts only 15 years and a great mighty prodigy who holds the title of GM at a very young age (2018). India proves out to be a very versatile and religious nation with many young talent rising their heads up. One of them is this massively tiny chess GM and an IM too at the very age of just 10! Who proved out to be 4th youngest person to reach up to such a great height with dedication and efforts going hand in hand.
He was born on 10 August 2005 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. His FIDE rating is 2608 and peak rating is the same i.e. 2608.
Learning chess and building the charisma on the same at young age is not that easy because at the age of 5 when other kids are busy playing and constructing their imaginary world and living in it with no clue of what the real world is this guy actually entered the real world and built up his interest in chess.
He is a calm and matured boy at and won 12 laurels for the country (many more to go!).
Let’s take a look about his achievements and his career in chess
An early beginner, Praggnanandhaa has been learning chess since the age of 5. Realizing their son's desire, Praggnanandhaa's family enrolled him in a chess academy. Since the age of 5, he has been playing chess and achieving titles at such a young age.
His parents initially didn't want him to take up chess as his career. Back in 2017, in an interview with sports correspondent, Rameshbabu told why he was initially reluctant to let his son take up chess as his career. “We really didn't want Pragg to play chess, sustaining two chess careers was financially not an easy task", he reckons.
His desire to play chess overcame every obstacle. Personal commitment and support from family are all a player needs to establish himself in the sporting world. Initially, the family was worried but any amount of resistance could not stop Praggnanandhaa's desire to play chess.
He bagged the title of youngest International Master ever at the age of 10. He won his ninth round game at the KiiT International Chess Festival in Bhubaneswar, India, and made his third IM norm (after norms in Cannes and Moscow) in 2016 to win the title of youngest International Grand Master.
He is only 3 months older than the record holder Sergey Karjakin. Karjakin of Russia (then Ukraine) was 12 years and 7 months old when he achieved the title of youngest Grandmaster ever. At 12 years, 10 months and 13 days, Praggnanandhaa is the second youngest Grandmaster.
Praggnanandhaa's father battled his personal problems to support him. He was attacked by Polio in his early childhood, leaving him in a condition where he could not walk properly. He managed to complete his studies and get a decent job only because of sheer confidence and determination. Overcoming his insecurities regarding the career and financial sustainability, he supports his children all the way. He now works at a bank in Tamil Nadu.
His elder sister is also an acclaimed chess player. His elder sister R. Vaishali happens to be a two-time youth chess champion is a Woman International Master since 2016. As of 2016, she was ranked second in India and world no. 12 girl U16-player.
His coach is also a former chess champion. Coach Ramachandran Ramesh is an Indian chess grandmaster from Chennai who won the 2002 British Championship and 2007 Commonwealth Championship. Along with his wife, he runs an academy called 'chess gurukul'. His wife WGM Aarthie Ramaswamy and he are India's first grandmaster couple.
He travels one hour daily to take his chess lessons. In a tweet, Praggnanandhaa's coach appreciates the efforts and commitment of his family. Living at a far-off place, he travels for an hour daily to reach chess gurukul.
He is one of the sweetest yet dedicated young personality growing and glowing and spreading his aura everywhere. A true inspiration that is flawless and filled with so much of positive vibes.
CHESSVICKY.COM wishes this young aspiring talent blooming up into a beautiful flower with evergreen thoughts a very very happy and prosperous birthday! Stay blessed chess prodigy! Stay motivated and keep motivating.
Live long and prosper and achieve good heights!