Indian chess siblings R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali have become the first brother-sister duo to attain the prestigious title of Grandmaster in a groundbreaking achievement. Vaishali's recent triumph at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain solidified her position as India's third female Grandmaster, propelling her to an Elo rating of over 2500.
Joining the ranks of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli, India's two other female Grandmasters, Vaishali's victory marks a significant milestone for Indian chess. The 22-year-old prodigy cemented her Grandmaster status with a decisive win over Turkish FM Tamer Tarik Selbes in the second round of the tournament, marking an impressive start with two consecutive victories.
This remarkable brother-sister duo has also etched their names in chess history by becoming the first to secure a spot in the Candidates Tournament. Established by FIDE, chess's international governing body, since 1950, the Candidates Tournament serves as the final hurdle in determining the challenger for the World Chess Championship. The victor of this tournament earns the coveted opportunity to compete for the World Championship title against the reigning champion.
Praggnanandhaa, the Indian chess prodigy, rose to the pinnacle of chess at the tender age of 12, earning the revered title of Grandmaster in 2018. He is etched in chess history as the second-youngest Grandmaster, a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the game.
“I am very happy to finally completed the title. It’s just two rounds. I am also focusing on the tournament. But I am really happy with the GM title,” told Chess.com.
In a display of exceptional skill and resilience, Indian chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa etched his name in chess history earlier this year by becoming the youngest player to reach the Chess World Cup final. Praggnanandhaa's remarkable journey to the final was marked by a series of stunning victories, including a thrilling tie-break win over the formidable USA's Fabiano Caruana in the semi-finals. This achievement not only solidified Praggnanandhaa's position as a rising star in the chess world but also placed him alongside the legendary Viswanathan Anand as the only two Indians to have reached the final of the Chess World Cup.
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