Over the past decade, there has been one individual who has been widely recognized as a chess prodigy – Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa from India. He achieved the esteemed title of International Master at a remarkably young age of 10 and quickly went on to become the second-youngest Grandmaster in 2018. Notably, he demonstrated his exceptional skills by winning three consecutive online games against Magnus Carlsen, a highly accomplished five-time world champion. Furthermore, Praggnanandhaa followed in the footsteps of Viswanathan Anand, another renowned Indian chess player, by reaching the final of the World Cup and securing a place in the Candidates tournament.
Praggnanandhaa gained significant attention in the chess community, while his elder sister, Vaishali, patiently awaited her turn. Vaishali, who was the first chess player in their family, demonstrated undeniable dedication and skill. Recently, she accomplished an extraordinary milestone, becoming the third female Grandmaster in India, following in the footsteps of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. It is worth mentioning that this achievement now establishes the Rameshbabu siblings as the first-ever brother-sister duo to attain the title of Grandmaster in the history of chess.
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Vaishali's journey to the Grandmaster title reached its highest point at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain, where she surpassed the 2500 FIDE mark. Contemplating this accomplishment, she shared her happiness and recognized the challenges linked to achieving her lifelong aspiration. In November, Vaishali achieved triumph at the Women's Grand Swiss tournament, triumphing over three previous women's world champions and securing a highly sought-after position in the Women's Candidates tournament.
The sibling rivalry between Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali has played a significant role in shaping their chess journey. Vaishali openly expressed her early challenges with the attention being solely on her younger brother. It took time for her to overcome these feelings, but earning the title of Woman Grandmaster (WGM) was a pivotal moment. Nowadays, she deeply admires her brother's achievements and acknowledges the dedicated efforts he has put in.
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Their chess mentor, Grandmaster RB Ramesh, kindly emphasized the difficulties Vaishali encountered as a result of the incessant media spotlight on Praggnanandhaa. Despite the immense pressure, Vaishali tenaciously continued her quest for the Grandmaster title. Her recent accomplishments serve as a testament to her unwavering determination and dedication to her unique playing style.
During the pandemic, the siblings developed a stronger bond, offering each other support and discussing their games. Vaishali greatly appreciates the opportunity to have a family member as a chess partner. Their unique playing styles – Praggnanandhaa's strategic defense and Vaishali's determined attacking – perfectly complement each other, resulting in a formidable chess duo.
"I've finally achieved a goal of mine since I started playing chess" - @chessvaishali on becoming a GM! pic.twitter.com/Ylg4m4IIdT— Chess.com (@chesscom) December 1, 2023
In conclusion, the exceptional journey of the Rameshbabu siblings in the realm of chess showcases their unwavering commitment, tenacity, and the invaluable support from their family. As they persistently break records and leave a lasting impression, the chess community eagerly looks forward to witnessing their future successes.
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