Grandmaster Pranav Venkatesh Clinches World Junior Chess Championship with 9/11 Score in Petrovac, Montenegro
India has a new world champion in chess, as Grandmaster Pranav Venkatesh emerged victorious in the open category of the world junior chess championship held in Petrovac, Montenegro. With a stellar performance throughout the tournament, Pranav needed only a draw in the final round to secure the title with an impressive 9/11 score.
The tournament, which featured nearly 230 players from 44 countries, saw Pranav competing against 157 players, including 12 Grandmasters, from 63 countries in the open section. Despite being the second-highest rated player in the field after Belgian GM Daniel Dardha, Pranav showcased his exceptional skills and strategic prowess to clinch the championship.
The 18-year-old chess prodigy has been mentored by five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who was the first Indian to win the world junior title in 1987. Under Anand’s guidance at the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy, Pranav has honed his skills and emerged as a formidable force in the world of chess.
Pranav’s journey to becoming the world junior chess champion has been nothing short of remarkable. Becoming India’s 75th Grandmaster in 2022, he quickly rose through the ranks by securing two of his three GM norms and crossing the 2500-Elo mark in just two months. His notable victories include defeating world No 1 Magnus Carlsen in an online tournament and being part of Carlsen’s Offerspill Chess Club side that won the European Chess Club Cup.
With a string of impressive achievements under his belt, including double gold at the World Youth Under-18 World rapid and blitz, as well as victories in prestigious tournaments like the Chennai Grand Masters, Pranav’s success on the international chess stage has solidified his position as a rising star in the world of chess.
As India celebrates yet another chess champion, Pranav Venkatesh’s triumph serves as a testament to his dedication, skill, and unwavering passion for the game. With a bright future ahead, Pranav’s victory is a proud moment for Indian chess and a testament to the talent and potential of young chess players in the country.