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Rahul Gandhi, Vishy congratulate Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa

R Praggnanandhaa, a Chennai boy, became India’s youngest and the world’s second youngest Chess Grandmaster at the age of 12 years, 10 months and 13 days after reaching the final round of the ongoing Grendine Open in Italy.

SNS | New Delhi | June 24, 2018 8:42 pm

Rahul Gandhi, Vishy congratulate Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa

(Photo: Twitter/@SusanPolgar)

R Praggnanandhaa, a Chennai boy, became India’s youngest and the world’s second youngest Chess Grandmaster at the age of 12 years, 10 months and 13 days after reaching the final round of the ongoing Grendine Open in Italy.

He had in 2016 become the youngest International Master at the age of 10 years, 10 months and 19 days.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter on Sunday to congratulate the Chess prodigy for his remarkable feat.

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“Just 12 yrs old, Chennai boy R Praggnanandaah has become the second youngest Chess Grand Master ever!” said Gandhi on Twitter.

“Congratulations to him and his coach @RameshChess (Ramesh RB). This is truly an incredible achievement,” he added.

 

Rahul Gandhi
(Photo: Twitter/@RahulGandhi)

 

Gandhi was not alone in showering praise on Praggnanandhaa. India’s first Grandmaster and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand was among the first to congratulate the boy from his home state.

“Welcome to the club & congrats Praggnanandhaa!! See u soon in chennai,” tweeted the 48-year-old Anand.

 

Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia hailed Praggnanandhaa’s victory as a “great moment for Indian chess”.

“Great moment for Indian Chess! Heartiest congratulations to #Praggnanandhaa who’s just become the second youngest Grandmaster of all time – truly inspirational!” tweeted the MP from Madhya Pradesh’s Guna.

 

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 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.

Meanwhile, Pragga’s coach R B Ramesh described it as a fantastic achievement.

“Fantastic achievement of course. 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,” he told PTI.

 

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,” he added.

Praggnanandhaa’s father A Ramesh Babu said he was overjoyed with Pragga’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 added.

Praggnanandhaa’s sister Vaishali is also a WIM and has won the world under-14 and 12 titles previously. She has now earned her Second Woman Grandmaster norm in the same tournament in which her brother is participating.

 

Meanwhile, V Kameswaran, India’s first international arbiter, said Praggnanandhaa had developed consistently and a bright future lies ahead of him.

“Becoming India’s first youngest and world’s second youngest GM is not all of a sudden. Though he missed becoming the World’s youngest GM, his relentless chess pursuits for high honours are simply outstanding. The credit definitely goes to his parents, sister Vaishali and coach GM R B Ramesh,” he said.

(With agency inputs.)

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