Highlights:
• 12 years old boy got title of Grandmaster
• Become India’s first youngest Grand Master
• Became youngest International Master at 10 years of age
12 years old boy, R Praggnanandhaa from Chennai got the title of Grandmaster, the highest title a chess player can attain.
Praggnanandhaa become the country’s youngest and the world’s second youngest Grand Master at the age of 12 years after reaching the final round of the ongoing Grenadine Open in Italy. Earlier in 2016, he became the youngest International Master at the age of 10.
Winning feat
Praggnanandhaa was paired with Grand Master Prujjsers Roland in the final round, which ensured that he would achieve the feat. After beating GM Moroni Lica Jr in the eighth round, he needed to play an opponent above the rating of 2,482 in the next round to make his third GM norm.
Pragga’s coach R B Ramesh described it as a fantastic achievement and said that there would be greater expectations from the youngster now that he has become a GM.
Supportive father and an equally talented sister
Praggnanandhaa’s father A Ramesh Babu was overjoyed with his son’s achievement.”I am overjoyed. He has put in a lot of hard work. Credit goes to my wife, who accompanies him to the tournament and is very supportive. Due must be given to coach (Ramesh sir),” he added.
Praggnanandhaa’s sister, Vaishali is also a WIM and has won the world under-14 and 12 titles previously.Meanwhile, V Kameswaran, India’s first international arbiter, said Praggnanandhaa had developed consistently and a bright future lies ahead of him.
