How 12-year-old R Praggnanandhaa became India's youngest Chess Grandmaster

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has made his opening gambit by becoming the second youngest Grandmaster ever, greater glory will follow if the 12-year-old retains his hunger, writes Devangshu Datta

Residents of Padi, in West Chennai, are used to seeing a small stick-thin boy zipping around the locality's lanes on a red bicycle that looks too big for him. When he isn't playing chess, or table-tennis, or badminton,  or doing homework, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa cycles.

Last week, when Chennai threw a reception in the eighth standard student's honour, he was apparently unaffected by the pomp and circumstance. The 12-year-old made the statutory speeches and fielded the usual questions in considered fashion. Then he went home, and continued his unending chess match with his 17-year-old akka, Vaishali.

Praggnanadhaa ("People call