A Champion's Journey: Chess Prodigy Gukesh D Meets Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Gukesh D has made headlines as one of the youngest chess champions in the world. His journey to success has been marked by hard work

World No. 2 blitz chess champion Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. The Prime Minister congratulated Praggnanandhaa on his recent victory in the Aimchess Rapid and praised him for bringing glory to the country. During their interaction, Modi also enquired about Praggnanandhaa’s upcoming tournaments and wished him the best for his future endeavors.

The meeting between the Prime Minister and the young chess prodigy was a testament to the government’s support for sports and its recognition of exceptional achievements by Indian athletes on the world stage. Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable journey and his contribution to the sport of chess continue to inspire aspiring athletes across the country.

After meeting PM Modi, Praggnanandhaa expressed his gratitude and shared his experience on Twitter. “Met our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji today. Thank you for your encouraging words sir. I’m truly honored (sic),” he wrote.

Praggnanandhaa, who is known for his aggressive playing style and quick decision-making abilities, recently defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen in the FTX Crypto Cup finals. He also led the Indian team to a bronze medal finish at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai last year.

The 17-year-old grandmaster from Chennai has been making waves in the chess world since he became the youngest international master at the age of 10 and the youngest grandmaster at 12. He is currently ranked No. 2 in blitz chess and No. 16 in rapid chess by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Praggnanandhaa’s meeting with Prime Minister Modi comes ahead of the Candidates Tournament, which will be held in March and April. The Candidates Tournament is a series of chess tournaments that determine who will challenge the reigning world champion for the title. Praggnanandhaa will be competing in the Candidates Tournament for the first time in his career.