In a display of remarkable talent, the young 17-year-old Indian Grandmaster, R Praggnanandhaa, astounded the chess world with his triumph in the highly competitive Super GM chess tournament of 2023. Dominating the 10-player event, Praggnanandhaa achieved an impressive score of 6.5 points, securing a clear first position and claiming the championship title. His performance throughout the tournament was nothing short of outstanding, as he showcased his strategic prowess and tactical brilliance against some of the world’s best chess players.
During the intense nine rounds of play, Praggnanandhaa demonstrated his mettle with five wins, three draws, and just one defeat, which came in the fifth round against Amin Tabatabaei. In the decisive final round, he exhibited his strength by playing to a draw with Polish GM Radoslaw Wojtaszek while showcasing his proficiency with the white pieces.
Notable among his wins were victories over strong opponents such as Sjugirov, Parham Maghsoodloo (Iran), Adam Kozak (Hungary), and Peter Prohaszka (Hungary). His three draws came against formidable opponents Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine), Maxim Matlakov (Russia), and Wojtaszek.
Praggnanandhaa’s latest achievement further elevates his live rating to an impressive 2707.3, solidifying his position among the world’s top chess players.
His journey to success began at a young age, as he earned the title of the youngest international master in history at just 10 years old in 2016. Since then, he has continued to break barriers and make significant strides in the world of chess.
On February 20, 2022, Praggnanandhaa etched his name in history as the third Indian player (following Anand and Harikrishna) to defeat the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen in any time format, a remarkable achievement for any chess player.
In January 2023, he showcased his prowess at the Tata Steel Chess Masters 2023, securing a notable victory over the 2800-rated grandmaster Ding Liren. This victory marked his first time defeating such a highly-rated player in a classical game, and he concluded the prestigious tournament in an impressive 9th place.
A chess prodigy hailing from Telangana, R Praggnanandhaa continues to captivate the chess world with his brilliance and potential, leaving enthusiasts eager to witness his future accomplishments.