'His mother deserves full credit': Praggnanandhaa's father

A proud father and husband, Rameshbabu, acknowledges his wife’s role in grooming their GM son, who is tackling legendary Carlsen in Baku finale

The glint in R Nagalakshmi’s eyes and that disarming smile standing in a corner of a room while watching her son ace the battle of 64 squares has been one of the most photogenic moments of GM R Praggnanandhaa’s dream run during the ongoing World Cup Chess in Baku.

Praggnanandhaa, 18, who has reached the summit clash featuring legendary five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen, had none other than the iconic Gary Kasparov, acknowledging the Indian GM’s mother’s role, which was akin to his own playing days. 

The Indian sporting scenario is replete with examples of parents, who have had massive influence in shaping their children’s careers.

Praggu’s mum R Nagalakshmi

Just like three and half decades back, the photograph of a young Grandmaster named Viswanthan Anand, playing chess while seated on a swing with his mother Sushila, left a lasting impression, the satisfaction that was writ large on Nagalakshmi’s face after Praggnanandhaa win over Arjun Ergaisi won’t be forgotten in a hurry either.

“I must credit my wife, who accompanies them to tournaments and is very supportive. She takes great care [of the two],” Rameshbabu, the proud father said.

Also Read: 'Sleep well tonight', coach Ramesh RB to Praggnanandhaa after his entry to the FIDE World Cup Final

A bank employee, Rameshbabu never had too much idea about chess before he decided that his children, daughter Vaishali and son Praggnanandhaa needs to cut down on watching television.

“We had introduced Vaishali to chess so as to cut down on her TV viewing habits as a child. As it happened, the two children liked the game and decided to pursue it,” Rameshbabu recalled. “We are happy that the two are enjoying playing chess and also doing well thanks to their passion for chess.”

For the record, Vaishali, a WGM is also one of the most reputed young players in the international circuit.

“Though I don’t know much about the game, I have been following his progress in the tournament keenly. I can’t be more proud of Pragg’s [that’s how he refers to his son] performance,” said Rameshbabu.

Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa’s  first coach S Thyagarajan, who runs Bloom Chess Academy in the city, is overjoyed at the player’s phenomenal rise.

“He [Praggnanandhaa] came to me when he was four-and-a-half years old and his sister [Vaishali] was 7. I knew back then that he was a special talent. He was very quick to grasp things,” Thyagarajan said. 

World Cup Chess final: Game 1 between Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen ends in draw

Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa held his own against World No.1 Magnus Carlsen to secure a draw in the first classical game of the final of the FIDE World Cup Chess here on Tuesday. Praggnanandhaa, 18, held his own against a fancied and higher-rated opponent and forced a stalemate in 35 moves playing white pieces. In the middle of a major time crunch, Praggnanandhaa was able to hold Carlsen for a draw in an objectively equal position with white pieces. The Indian played a solid game and agreed to a draw on move 35. “I don’t think I was in any trouble at all,” Praggnanandhaa said after the game. 

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