Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, a 16-year-old young boy, created history after defeating world chess champion, Magnus Carlsen, in the eighth round of the Airthings Masters. Wanna know who this boy is. EBNW Story writes about the child prodigy…
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa was born on 10 August 2005 in Chennai. He is the sibling of noted Indian chess player Vaishali Rameshbabu and is the fifth-youngest person after Abhimanyu Mishra, Gukesh D, Sergey Karjakin, and Javokhir Sindarovt to achieve the title of Grandmaster.
Praggnanandhaa won the World Youth Chess Championship Under-8 title in 2013.
At 7, the victory secured him the title of FIDE Master, an open title that is below Grandmaster and International Master.
His trail of victories continued in 2016 when he became the youngest International Master in history at the age of 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days. Two years later, at 12 years, 10 months and 13 days, Praggnanandhaa became the youngest Grandmaster after Russian chess star Sergey Karjakin.
After his victory, five-time world champion and India’s first Grandmaster, Viswanathan Anand, congratulated Praggnanandhaa on his achievement in a tweet.
Praggnanadhaa, according to a report on ESPN, has completely stayed away from social media. This according to his coach RB Ramesh helps in easing the pressure of being watched.
His win at the online rapid chess competition have ushered in wishes and greetings from celebrities and thought leaders across the spectrum who have congratulated the teenager.
His contest against world champion Carlsen from Norway makes the victory even more emphatic.
Carlsen had successively won three championships
What is interesting is the fact that the 16-year-old manoeuvre has defeated his 31-year-old opponent. Praggnanandhaa is also the fifth-youngest person ever to clinch the title of Grandmaster.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar congratulated the chess champion from his twitter handle.
“What a wonderful feeling it must be for Pragg. All of 16, and to have beaten the experienced & decorated Magnus Carlsen, and that too while playing black, is magical! Best wishes on a long & successful chess career ahead. You’ve made India proud!” tweeted Sachin.