MAKING THE RIGHT MOVES

Crowned the youngest international master at 10 years and 10 months, R. Praggnanandhaa is the only Indian after Vishwanathan Anand to play in the Chess World Cup final. As the teen grandmaster sets his eyes on becoming the world champion, he is a changemaker for being a bundle of talent at such a young age

- Abdul Haleem Sherif

The image of a lanky young boy with vibhuti (sacred ash) on his forehead and an intent look in the eyes, focusing on his next move over a board of black and white squares, has become representative of India’s bright prospects in the world of chess. Chennaibased Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has achieved a lot at the international level, breaking several records year after year. Now his eyes are trained on the biggest victory of all: the world chess championship. A win at the FIDE Candidates Tournament in April next year will take the 18-year-old grandmaster closer to his dream—he will get to challenge current world champion Ding Liren.