R Praggnanandhaa Biography, Age, Family, Education, Achievements, Net Worth

Who is R. Praggnanandhaa?

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, commonly known as Praggnanandhaa, is an Indian chess prodigy and Grandmaster who has taken the global chess world by storm with his extraordinary talent. Born on August 10, 2005, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, Praggnanandhaa became one of the youngest Grandmasters in chess history at the age of just 12 years and 10 months. As of 2025, he is one of the highest-ranked players globally and a symbol of India’s rising dominance in the chess world.

Key Information

R. Praggnanandhaa Early Life

Praggnanandhaa was born into a humble and supportive family in Chennai. From a very young age, his intelligence and unique talent in chess became noticeable. Inspired by his elder sister, who was already a competitive chess player, Praggnanandhaa began playing chess at the age of five. His incredible grasp of the game and sharp calculations allowed him to win the World Youth Chess Championships in the under-8 and under-10 categories.

R. Praggnanandhaa Education

Despite being an international sports icon, Praggnanandhaa has consistently balanced his academics and chess. He completed his schooling at Velammal Matriculation School in Chennai, which is known for encouraging young sports talents. His school supported his chess journey, allowing him to pursue his dream while maintaining his education.

R. Praggnanandhaa Family

Praggnanandhaa comes from a simple yet inspiring family:

R. Praggnanandhaa Career

Rise to Stardom:

• Praggnanandhaa became the youngest International Master at the age of 10.
• In 2018, he achieved his Grandmaster title at 12 years and 10 months, becoming the second-youngest GM in history at that time.

Major Career Highlights

• World Youth Chess Champion in U8 and U10 categories.
• Made history by defeating World Champion Magnus Carlsen in online rapid matches in 2022 and in classical formats in 2024.
• Runner-up at the FIDE World Cup 2023, youngest Indian to reach the final.
• Winner of Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025, one of the most prestigious global chess events.
• Led the Indian team to a gold medal in the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
• Winner of the Superbet Classic 2025 and UzChess Cup Masters 2025, cementing his position among the world’s elite.

Playing Style

Known for his aggressive style, sharp tactics, and fearless approach, Praggnanandhaa has earned praise from grandmasters and chess legends worldwide. His creativity on the board makes him one of the most exciting players to watch.

R. Praggnanandhaa Victory Over Magnus Carlsen

At the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour held in Las Vegas (July 17, 2025), R. Praggnanandhaa delivered a stunning performance against world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in their Round 4 showdown. Playing with the White pieces, he secured a victory in just 39 moves, knocking Carlsen out of title contention and taking a commanding lead in his group.

This win marks his seventh consecutive triumph over Carlsen across different formats, classical, rapid, blitz, and now freestyle, solidifying his reputation as a versatile prodigy

What This Means

• Defeated Carlsen in just 39 moves – an emphatic and spectacular win.
• Carlsen was eliminated from the championship bracket after back-to-back losses.
• Praggnanandhaa now leads Group White, advancing to the quarterfinals with fellow Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi.

This victory isn’t just dramatic, it’s transformative. By defeating the world No. 1 in a high-stakes, rapid-paced environment, Praggnanandhaa has firmly announced himself as a force across all chess disciplines.

R. Praggnanandhaa Social Media

Praggnanandhaa is active on X (Twitter) and shares glimpses of his matches, victories, and life moments. 

R. Praggnanandhaa Net Worth

As of 2025, Praggnanandhaa’s estimated net worth ranges between $1 million to $2 million, primarily earned from:

Net Worth

Physical Appearance

R Praggnanandhaa Wins FIDE Circuit 2025

• Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has officially won the FIDE Circuit 2025, marking a major milestone in his rapidly rising international career.

• With this achievement, Praggnanandhaa secures a direct qualification spot for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, bringing him one step closer to a World Chess Championship challenge.

• The FIDE Circuit title was confirmed after the final set of eligible tournaments concluded, where Praggnanandhaa remained unbeatable on the points table despite stiff global competition.

• Throughout the 2025 season, the 19-year-old grandmaster delivered consistent high-level performances across elite classical events, accumulating the highest circuit points overall.

• His campaign stood out for its combination of aggressive opening preparation, calm endgame technique, and exceptional mental composure against top-ranked players.

• Praggnanandhaa’s circuit win further strengthens India’s dominance in world chess, following recent successes by players such as D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Viswanathan Anand’s mentorship legacy.

• Chess analysts noted that Praggnanandhaa showed remarkable maturity during critical moments, especially in high-pressure final rounds where qualification stakes were highest.

• The FIDE Circuit rewards consistency across multiple elite tournaments, and Praggnanandhaa’s victory highlights his ability to perform steadily rather than rely on a single breakthrough event.

• This triumph adds another prestigious accolade to his resume, which already includes multiple wins and podium finishes at top international events in recent years.

• Reactions from the global chess community have been overwhelmingly positive, with many experts calling Praggnanandhaa a serious future World Championship contender.

• The All India Chess Federation and senior Indian players congratulated him, hailing the win as a landmark moment for Indian chess in the post-Anand era.

• With the Candidates Tournament now confirmed, attention will shift to how Praggnanandhaa prepares for what is expected to be the toughest test of his young but extraordinary career.

Interesting Facts about R. Praggnanandhaa

• Praggnanandhaa was gifted an SUV by industrialist Anand Mahindra for his spectacular performance.
• He prefers yoga and meditation to improve his mental focus.
• Despite his global fame, he remains deeply connected to his roots in Chennai.
• He often names Ravichandran Ashwin as his favorite cricketer.
• Praggnanandhaa is already being hailed as a future world chess champion by experts.

FAQs

Q1 Who is R. Praggnanandhaa?
R Praggnanandhaa is a famous Indian chess Grandmaster known for his young achievements and wins over top players like Magnus Carlsen.

Q2 When did he become a Grandmaster?
He became a Grandmaster in 2018 at the age of 12 years and 10 months.

Q3 What is his age in 2025?
As of 2025, he is 19 years old.

Q4 What is his FIDE rating?
As of mid-2025, Praggnanandhaa’s rating is around 2779, placing him among the top 5 players in the world.

Q5 Has he defeated Magnus Carlsen?
Yes, he has multiple victories over Carlsen, including rapid and classical formats.

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