Tamil Nadu’s Chess Prodigies: Aravindh Chithambaram and V Pranav Make Waves on the World Stage

Tamil Nadu boys Aravindh Chithambaram and V Pranav shine on the international chess stage

When the Indian cricket team was making headlines in Dubai, two young chess prodigies from Tamil Nadu were making waves in the world of chess. 18-year-old V Pranav emerged victorious at the World Junior Chess Championship in Petrovac, Montenegro, while 25-year-old Aravindh Chithambaram claimed the prestigious Prague Masters title.

For Pranav, the journey to the World Junior Chess Championship was not an easy one. With his 12th Board exams approaching, he had to make a tough decision between academics and his passion for chess. Ultimately, he chose to prioritize chess and skip his exams this year, with his eyes set on becoming the world champion in the future.

Aravindh’s path to victory at the Prague Masters was also filled with challenges. Despite winning titles earlier in his career, he struggled to maintain consistency. However, his recent triumph has brought a newfound sense of purpose, and he is now focused on maintaining his current level of play and reaching new heights in the world of chess.

Both Pranav and Aravindh are now motivated to sharpen their skills and improve their games, inspired by the achievements of their peers like R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh. Their decision to pursue chess over cricket is clearly paying off, as they aim to make their mark in the world of chess prodigies.