GM R Praggnanandhaa celebrates maiden Tata Steel Chess title with mother at Chennai airport (PTI Photo)

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa arrived at Chennai Airport on Tuesday to a warm welcome from officials of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu after claiming his maiden Tata Steel Chess title in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. The 19-year-old chess prodigy started the new year on a high note by defeating newly-crowned world champion D Gukesh in tie-breakers to secure the prestigious victory.

Pragg, as he is fondly known, had a challenging end to 2024 but bounced back with determination and hard work alongside his coach RB Ramesh. His victory at Tata Steel Chess was not only a result of his brilliance but also the support and inspiration he drew from his teammates, including Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna.

Reflecting on his win, Pragg expressed his happiness and gratitude for the support he received. He credited the success of his fellow Indian chess players for motivating him to push harder and improve his game quality. With this victory, Pragg earned 25 circuit points, positioning himself as a strong contender for the upcoming tournaments in 2025.

The Chennai native also shared his pride in competing against Gukesh in the final, highlighting the significance of two players from their city battling for the title. Looking ahead, Pragg is focused on the upcoming Prague Masters tournament and is determined to continue his winning streak.

As Pragg continues to make waves in the world of chess, his fans eagerly anticipate his future accomplishments and the impact he will have on the sport.