Meet India’s youngest Grand Master, 16-year-old Pragnanandhaa, who beat world no.1, Magnus Carlsen, at the Airthings Masters – an online rapid chess competition.
After a few initial draws and losses in the tournament, Pragnanandhaa triumphed over the world’s no. 1 in black pieces with 39 moves in Tarrasch variation.
With that, he became the third Indian to defeat the world champion, and also, crashing the three continuous winning streak of Carlsen.
This was not easy for Pragnanandhaa as before facing Carlsen, he had only secured a single win. However, he came back into the game and how!
What worked for him was his determination, confidence and will of steel.
Who is Pragnanandhaa?
Rameshbabu Pragnanandhaa is the full name of this Indian young Grandmaster. Born in 2005, he is the 5th youngest chess player in the world to earn the title of a Grandmaster.
Although the news of Pragnanandhaa beats world no. 1 Magus Carlsen brought him into the limelight, it was not his first milestone. He is also the winner of the 2013 under-18 World Youth Chess Championship.
At a very young age of seven, he won the FIDE Master Honour – a title just below the Grandmaster and International Master. Later, at the age of ten, he went on to become the youngest International Master.
Pragnanandhaa is also the second-youngest chess player to achieve the title of Grandmaster. His idol is Viswanathan Anand. Pragnanandhaa’s elder sister, Vaishali Rameshbabu, is also a chess player.
Young Pragnanandhaa has always been a sincere child. Needless to say, for this latest win, he worked really hard and had prepared himself for any challenge. His sister shared that Pragnanandhaa changed his daily routine for this tournament. He changed his routine ten days before the tournament to stay extremely focused. Besides, he had faced Carlsen once before during an online chess tournament, which also helped him understand Carlsen’s playing style.
Did you know about Pragnanandhaa before he came to the limelight for beating world no. 1, Magnus Carlsen? Comment below!
