Chennai: India’s R Praggnanandhaa has become the country’s youngest and the world’s second youngest Grandmaster (GM) at the age of 12 years, 10 months and 13 days after reaching the final round of the ongoing Grendine Open chess tournament in Italy.
The Chennai-based player was paired with GM Prujjsers Roland in the final round, which ensured that he would achieve the feat. After beating GM Moroni Lica (Jr) in the eighth round, Praggnanandhaa needed to play an opponent above Elo rating of 2482 in the next round to make his third GM norm.
Ukraine’s Serget Karjakin remains the youngest ever GM, having achieved the feat at the age of 12 years and seven months in 2002. In 2016, Praggnanandhaa became the youngest IM at the age of 10 years, 10 months and 19 days.
Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, the country’s first GM, congratulated Praggnanandhaa on his achievement. “Welcome to the club & congrats Praggnanandhaa!! See u soon in Chennai,” Anand tweeted.
Meanwhile, the player’s coach RB Ramesh described it as a ‘fantastic achievement’. “It’s a Fantastic achievement of course and I am feeling proud that one of my students could achieve this. It was a collective effort from parents, who stood by him in tough times, sponsors Ramco group, ONGC and his school,” Ramesh said.
Ramesh said Praggnanandhaa had the chance to break Karjakin’s record last year and did come close to making the GM norms but missed out narrowly in the end. He also said there would be greater expectations from the youngster now that he has become a GM. “Pressure is something every sportsman should learn to live with, can’t complain about that,” Ramesh added.
Praggnanandhaa’s father A Ramesh Babu said he was overjoyed with Praggna’s achievement. “I am overjoyed. He has put in a lot of hard work. Credit goes to my wife, who accompanies him to tournament and is very supportive. Due must be given to coach (Ramesh sir),” he pointed out.
Praggnanandhaa’s sister Vaishali is also a WIM and has won the world under-14 and 12 titles previously.
- Ukraine’s Serget Karjakin is the youngest to have become GM at 12 years and seven months
- Praggnanandhaa has developed his chess skills by playing against his sister WIM, Vaishali who is a former World U-12 and U-14 champion
