Praggnanandhaa

India’s 16-year-old Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa created history after he defeated world chess champion, Magnus Carlsen, in the eighth round of the Airthings Masters. Following his victory at the online rapid chess competition, celebrities and thought leaders across the spectrum have congratulated the teenager.

His contest against world champion Carlsen from Norway who had successively won three championships makes the victory even more emphatic. The exacting game witnessed the 16-year-old manoeuvre black pieces against his 31-year-old opponent. Praggnanandhaa is also the fifth-youngest person ever to clinch the title of Grandmaster.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar took to Twitter to congratulate the chess champion. "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.

Soon after Praggnanandhaa expressed his gratitude and said how much it meant for him to be congratulated by Tendulkar.

Who is Praggnanandhaa?

Born as Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa on 10 August 2005 in Chennai, he is the sibling of noted Indian chess player Vaishali Rameshbabu. He 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.

The teen looks up to Viswanathan Anand as his idol.

Away From Social Media

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.

“The burden of expectation can get to him at times. When he loses, it sometimes affects him more than it should. He's working on it, but he's just 16 and I'm really glad at how he's handled himself against some of the top guys," RB Ramesh was quoted as saying by ESPN.

Soon after the historic victory when he was asked about his plans for the celebration, the 16-year-old had said, “I’m just going to go to bed.”