It is hard to imagine that in the same time and place, two such different yet equally powerful chess talents – Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh – would emerge. Born just a few months apart, their families lived near each other, yet their paths to the top have been markedly different. Rameshbabu was quickly recognized as a prodigy, hailed as the next Anand and a leader of his generation, breaking numerous records early on. However at some point, Dommaraju overtook Pragg, becoming the youngest ever contender for the crown.
Praggnanandhaa's victories and records is a long list. The youngest world champion and international master (at 10 years, 10 months and 9 days), the second-youngest grandmaster after Karjakin (and currently the sixth-youngest) at 12 years, 10 months and 13 days, and the youngest player to defeat a top-10 opponent when he almost bested So in a rapid match in León in 2018, finishing 1.5-2.5. Just before turning 14 the Indian player won a major open in Denmark (8.5/10), followed by victory at the U18 World Championship (9/11). He ended 2019 by crossing the 2600 rating mark – only Wei Yi achieved this faster. Even the pandemic, which cost him a year of play, didn't hinder his growth.
From late 2020 Praggnanandhaa began to shine online, quickly making his way into all the prestigious series. Although he couldn't push Carlsen, Nakamura, Firouzja and So from the top positions, he regularly reached the later stages of the playoffs and achieved a positive score against the world champion! In 2021 the 16-year-old Rameshbabu qualified for the World Cup, where he advanced through three rounds before losing to Vachier-Lagrave in the round of 16. At the 2022 Chess Olympiad in his hometown of Chennai he was entrusted with the 3rd board for India-2, a team that caused a sensation and nearly claimed first place. At the closing ceremony, he was awarded two bronze medals – one for his team and one for his individual performance.
However, 2023 proved to be Praggnanandhaa's true breakout year. He started with a victory over the new world champion Ding Liren in Wijk aan Zee and in the summer reached the final of the World Cup in Baku, securing a spot in the Candidates Tournament. Despite being the 31st seed, this didn't help Lagarde, Navara, Nakamura, Berkes, Erigaisi or Caruana stop him. His most intense match was against Arjun, another peer and rival, decided in Armageddon – 5-4. The final against Carlsen was settled in rapid chess – 2.5-1.5 (Pragg's second at the World Cup and at the Candidates Tournament was former Candidate Svidler).
Before the start of the Candidates Tournament bookmakers ranked Praggnanandhaa third among potential winners, but he played too academically, refraining from chasing victory (7/14). And it was... Gukesh who went on to challenge the world champion! As some consolation for Pragg's missed opportunity, he claimed his first classical victory over Carlsen. In Stavanger, the Indian held his own against five of the world's top players, finishing 5th (5.5/10).
It seems the chess adolescence of the 19-year-old prodigy has ended. It's time for him to decide his future.
When Carlsen was asked about the differences between the three Indian super-talents, he remarked that while Gukesh primarily relies on knowledge and logic, Erigaisi's strength lies in intuition combined with preparation. As for Praggnanandhaa, his game revolves around a deep sense of position – he seems to know instinctively what needs to be done and works extensively at the board, often outplaying better-prepared opponents. And of course all three excel at calculating variations!
