Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa serving to his sister flip queen of 64 squares

Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa picked up chess watching his elder sister R. Vaishali play, however he quickly started beating her.

“At 10, he turned stronger than me, turned the youngest Worldwide Grasp on the earth. He took all his norms shortly. That’s when he received actually robust. He’s very proficient and hardworking,” Vaishali, India No. 3 amongst ladies and an Worldwide Grasp herself, informed The Hindu at Kalady on Thursday. “We used to have a number of fights initially when he began beating me.”

Now, alongside along with his personal objectives, Pragg helps his sister obtain her huge dream – of turning into a Grandmaster (GM) herself. “I practise usually along with her, that helps her,” stated the 16-year-old Pragg.

Chess Worldwide Grasp R. Vaishali at Kalady on Thursday.
| Picture Credit score: H. VIBHU

It’s not simple for a girl to develop into a GM, stated Vaishali. “Turning into a GM is hard, that’s why there are solely two ladies who’re Grandmasters in India. Chess-wise, he teaches me a number of issues,” stated the 20-year-old.

“I can simply focus on something with him. And since he performs GM-level gamers, he is aware of how they suppose, that approach he helps me. I have already got one GM norm [one needs three to become a GM]. I missed GM norm thrice, by some means I’m getting nearer. Hopefully, I’ll get it this yr, that’s my purpose.”

How far does she suppose her little brother will journey within the sport? “Even Anand Sir is taking part in and studying at this age. Pragg has an extended method to go… many prime gamers say he has the potential to develop into a world champion,” she stated.

So, what does she do to make sure that he stays on his ft? “I believe it comes naturally involves him, he is not going to enable something to go to his head. That’s his greatest plus, adverse issues or optimistic issues, they are going to by no means have an effect on him. That’s one high quality I ought to get from him.”

At dwelling, when they don’t seem to be battling over a chess board they watch films. “Principally, we watch comedy films. Or we play badminton or go biking,” she stated.

For his or her mom Nagalakshmi, Pragg’s dazzling strikes on the chess board have carried her far and broad. “I’ve been to all international locations with him,” she stated. Her husband Rameshbabu is a financial institution supervisor.

“No phrases to clarify how blissful I’m. Each are onerous staff, I keep on the again supporting them. It began once they had been three.”

In Chennai, Pragg steadily lives within the European time zone. “Since most of his tournaments are in Europe, 10 days earlier than such tournaments he fixes his schedule to go well with the time in Europe. That approach, he’s snug when he performs these occasions,” stated Nagalakshmi.

Pragg was at Kalady to obtain the Sankara Prize, collectively instituted by the Adi Sankara Belief, Adi Sankara Institute of Engineering and Sree Sarada Vidyalaya. Ok. Anand, Adi Sankara Belief’s managing trustee, offered the award at Sree Sarada Vidyalaya on Thursday.