“18-Year – Old Praggnanandhaa Emerges as India’s No.1
Chess Player with Victory over World Champion Ding Liren”
Chess sensation Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has claimed the coveted title of India’s top chess player, outshining the legendary Viswanathan Anand. The 18-year-old prodigy achieved this milestone by defeating World Champion Ding Liren with the black pieces at the 2024 Tata Steel Chess Tournament.
“Praggnanandhaa’s Surprise Triumph: ‘Any Day Beating a Strong Player is Special'” In a surprising turn of events, Praggnanandhaa expressed his astonishment at the outcome, admitting that he didn’t anticipate the world champion’s defeat to unfold in such a fashion. Reflecting on his victory, he shared, “I felt I equalized very easily, and then somehow things started to go wrong for him. Even after I won the pawn, I felt it should be holdable.”
The TATA Steel Chess Tournament saw Praggnanandhaa defeat China’s Liren to surpass Viswanathan Anand. Acknowledging the significance of his achievement, Praggnanandhaa highlighted the special feeling of winning against a world champion in classical chess. Notably, he stands as the second-youngest Chess Grandmaster, further solidifying his reputation as a rising star in the chess world.
