Meet Praggnanandhaa – the first Indian after Vishy Anand to reach FIDE WC final

Praggnanandhaa’s incredible feat

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has created history by reaching the finals of the Chess World Cup 2023 after defeating world no.3 Fabiano Caruana and thus setting up a mouthwatering clash against world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen. Credit: BCCL

When did an Indian last play in the finals?

Former World no 1. Vishwanathan Anand had won the first two World Cups back in 2000 and 2002. Credit: ANI

Young spark

Praggnanandhaa won the World Youth Chess Championship Under-8 title in 2013, earning him the title of FIDE Master. He won the under-10 title in 2015 Credit: ANI

Youngest International Master

Praggnanandhaa announced himself to the chess world when he was only 10 years old. He became the youngest International Master at the age of 10 years, 10 months and 19 days. Credit: ANI

One of the youngest GMs

Praggnanandhaa became the second-youngest Grandmaster in 2018 at the age of 12. This record was broken by fellow Indian D Gukesh in 2019. Credit: BCCL

The world takes note in 2022

Praggnanandhaa found the headlines last year after he became only the third Indian after Vishwanathan Anand and Pentala Harikrishna to defeat World Champion magnus Carlsen in any time format. Credit: BCCL

Chess is in the family

Praggnanandhaa’s elder sibling Vaishali Rameshbabu is also a chess player and has won the Woman International Master's title in 2016 Credit: PTI

Arjuna Awardee

Praggnanandhaa received the prestigious Arjuna Award from President Draupadi Murmu in 2022 at the Rashtapati Bhavan. Credit: ANI

Top trophies in the cabinet… till now

Praggnanandhaa won the bronze medal at the Chess Olympiad in 2022 and won the FIDE Online Olympiad in 2020. Credit: PTI

High praise for current feat

Former World Champion, and arguably one of the all-time greats, Garry Kasparov has hailed Praggnanandhaa’s game in the current World Cup saying, “He has been very tenacious in difficult positions.” Credit: BCCL