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Indian chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa had the honor of meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his historic journey at recently concluded FIDE Chess World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan. Praggnanandhaa's impressive achievements garnered national attention, prompting a meeting with the Prime Minister, who lauded the young chess star's passion and perseverance.
Taking to the social media platform X, Praggnanandhaa expressed his gratitude and excitement about the meeting. He shared, "It was a great honour to meet Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi at his residence! Thank you sir for all the words of encouragement to me and my parents."
Prime Minister Modi also conveyed his admiration for Praggnanandhaa's remarkable journey, describing him as a symbol of dedication and tenacity. PM Modi's tweet read, "Had very special visitors at 7, LKM today. Delighted to meet you, @rpragchess along with your family. You personify passion and perseverance. Your example shows how India's youth can conquer any domain. Proud of you!"
Praggnanandhaa's performance at the FIDE Chess World Cup positioned him as the second Indian, after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to reach the final of the tournament. His victories over renowned players like Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana were instrumental in this historic feat. Although Praggnanandhaa faced defeat against Magnus Carlsen in the final, his journey captivated the nation and left an indelible mark.
The young chess prodigy's achievements extended beyond the World Cup, securing him a spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament by finishing in the top three.
In the intense final showdown in Baku, Praggnanandhaa took on world No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen. Despite his valiant efforts, Praggnanandhaa's dream run concluded with a tie-break loss to Carlsen. Nevertheless, his exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him widespread acclaim and recognition.
Following his extraordinary journey in Baku, Praggnanandhaa set his sights on the World Rapid Chess Tournament in Germany. His participation in this upcoming event is highly anticipated, especially after his victory against then-world champion Magnus Carlsen in a rapid game at the Airthings Masters Rapid Chess Tournament in February 2022. As the Indian chess sensation continues to impress on the global stage, his meeting with Prime Minister Modi signifies the nation's pride and admiration for his achievements.
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