When a chess prodigy from Chennai begins toppling the biggest names in the game before turning twenty, the world pays attention.
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has been doing exactly that; rising from a young boy fascinated by his sister’s chessboard to standing among the best players on the planet.
Stick with us as we take a look at the rise of one of India’s greatest talents.
Early Life and First Steps in Chess
Praggnanandhaa was born on 10 August 2005 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. His father, Rameshbabu, is a branch manager at the Tamil Nadu State Co-operative Bank.
His mother, Nagalakshmi, is a homemaker and has constantly been present at his side during tournaments.
His older sister, Vaishali, was already making waves in chess when he was still a toddler.
Watching her play was his first exposure to the game, and that curiosity soon turned into passion.
By age five, he was spending hours bent over a chessboard.
His natural grasp of tactics and remarkable focus for his age stood out immediately.
Chennai’s strong chess culture also gave him the right environment to grow, with quality coaching and regular competition.
The Making of a Prodigy
In 2013, at just seven years old, Praggnanandhaa won the World Youth Chess Championship Under-8 category, earning the FIDE Master title.
The pace of his rise was extraordinary.
In 2016, he became the youngest International Master in history at 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days.
This record-breaking feat showed his ability to compete with and defeat players far older and more experienced.
Grandmaster at Twelve
In June 2018, at 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days, he secured his third and final GM norm at the Gredine Open in Italy, becoming the second-youngest Grandmaster in history at the time. His maturity at the board, ability to handle complex positions, and ability to calculate deep tactical sequences were already beyond his years.
This achievement brought him global attention. Coaches, players, and fans began following his games closely, noting how seamlessly he played and crushed his opponents.
Career Highlights and Major Wins
- 2019: Won the World Youth Chess Championship Under-18.
- 2019: Took first place at the Xtracon Chess Open in Denmark, scoring 8.5/10.
- 2021: Won the Polgar Challenge as part of the Julius Baer Challengers Chess Tour, earning a spot in the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour.
- 2022: Beat reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the Airthings Masters rapid tournament, becoming the second youngest player to defeat Carlsen in any format. Gukesh Dommaraju, the current world champion, holds the record for being the youngest to defeat Carlsen.
Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh. Photo Credits: Chess.com
- Had continued success in events like the Chessable Masters and FTX Crypto Cup, where he scored wins against elite grandmasters.
World Cup 2023
In August 2023, at the FIDE World Cup in Baku, he produced the best performance of his career to that point. He defeated Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana to reach the final, where he faced Carlsen again. Though he finished runner-up, the run made history, as he was the youngest player ever to reach a World Cup final and secured qualification for the 2024 Candidates Tournament.
Team Events
- 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou: Part of the Indian team that won silver.
- 45th Chess Olympiad (2024): Key contributor to India’s gold medal victory.
Breakthrough Year in 2025
- Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025: Won the prestigious Wijk aan Zee event, becoming only the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to take the title.
Praggnanandhaa wins the Tata Steel. Photo Credits: Tata Steel Chess
- UzChess Cup Masters 2025: Finished in first place.
- Climbed to World No. 4 in the FIDE rankings, the highest of his career so far.
Praggnanandhaa is World No.4 as of August 2025. Photo Credits: 2700 chess.com
Playing Style and Approach
Praggnanandhaa’s style is defined by adaptability. He can switch from sharp attacking play to calm positional manoeuvring depending on the needs of the position. His endgame skill is already exceptional, especially in technical positions with minor pieces.
Family Support and Mentorship
His family’s role in his success cannot be overstated. His mother’s constant presence at tournaments has ensured he can focus entirely on the game.
Praggnanandhaa with his Mother. Photo Credits: @rpragchess via X
His sister’s own success, a Woman Grandmaster and International Master, has provided both inspiration and a source of healthy competition.
Praggnanandhaa has also benefited from guidance under India’s chess icon, Viswanathan Anand.
Anand and Praggnanandhaa. Photo Credits: Santosh Ghosh
Through the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, he has worked closely with Anand and other top coaches. These experiences have helped refine his preparation and gain insights into the demands of elite competition.
Awards and Recognition
- Arjuna Award (2022) for outstanding achievement in chess.
- CNN-News18 Indian of the Year (Sports) in 2023.
- Regularly named among the most promising young players in the world by chess media.
Looking Ahead
At nineteen, Praggnanandhaa is already competing and winning at the very highest level. He has beaten the best, shown steady improvement in elite events, and carries himself with the calm focus of a seasoned professional.
The combination of talent, discipline, and experience he has built so early in his career points to a long and successful run at the top.
Conclusion
From a boy in Chennai learning chess by watching his sister, to defeating the world’s best and standing on the podium of the most prestigious events, Praggnanandhaa’s journey is already the stuff of legend. His achievements are rooted in hard work, a strong support system, and a love for the game that has never wavered.
The chess world will continue to watch his rise. If his path so far is any indication, we are witnessing the making of one of the greatest players of our time.
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