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Sibling Grandmasters R Vaishali & Praggnanandhaa Make History At Chess Olympiad 2024

Siblings R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali have etched their names in the history of Chess by clinching gold medals in the men's and women's competitions at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest.

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Tanya Savkoor
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Image: @chessbaseindia on Instagram

The dynamic sibling duo, R Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa have etched their names in chess history by clinching India's first ever gold medal each in their respective competitions at the 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest. Vaishali was part of the women's competition, where Team India defeated Azerbaijan 3.5-0.5 to clinch the maiden Olympiad gold. In the men's team, Praggnanandhaa earned a victory against Slovenia's Anton Demchenko, propelling India to a historic victory. 

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After the win, the siblings were seen celebrating with their mother, Nagalakshmi, who stood between them proudly as they flaunted their medals and trophies. Nagalakshmi, who is no stranger to seeing her children achieve laurels, has become a common face in the world of chess herself as she stands strong as a pillar of support beside them during every game.

First Bro-Sis Grandmasters

Vaishali and 'Pragg' are the first brother-sister pair to achieve the esteemed title of Grandmaster. This exceptional feat unfolded when Vaishali secured her title as India's 84th Grandmaster in April 2024. The proud Indian player earned her grandmaster title by crossing 2,500 International Chess Federation (FIDE).

18-year-old Praggnanandhaa secured his Grandmaster title in 2018 when he was just 12 years old, setting a record as the second-youngest Grandmaster in history. Vaishali's accomplishment adds a unique chapter to their family's legacy in chess.

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Vaishali is the world's 42nd and India's third woman to be elevated to the rank of a Grandmaster. Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli are the pioneering Indian women grandmasters. An Arjuna awardee, Vaishali has been playing chess since the age of 12, showcasing an inspiring dedication and passion for the game. 

Praggnanandhaa qualified for the FIDE Candidates event in 2023. The brother and sister achieved a historic feat by becoming the first sibling pair to qualify for the prestigious tournament. This tournament holds the key to determining the contenders for the reigning world champions in both the men's and women's categories.

Chess Champions' Background

Hailing from Tamil Nadu, the sibling duo credit their success to the leading lady of their lives, their mother Nagalakshmi. Their father, Ramashbabu, vehemently agrees. "I must credit my wife, who accompanies them to tournaments and is very supportive. She takes great care (of the two)," he proudly told the Press Trust of India in a 2023 interview. 

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Rameshbabu is a bank employee. He told PTI that while he did not know much about chess before, but he engaged his children in the sport to cut down on their television-watching time. "They liked the game and decided to pursue it. We are happy that the two are enjoying playing chess and also doing well thanks to their passion for chess."

Nagalakshmi has made headlines for her unwavering backing for her children. Just have a look at this tear-jerking photo from August 2023, as she watches Praggnanandhaa speak to interviewers. Her eyes shimmer with pride and joy, reflecting the years of support and dedication she put in for her children's passion.

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Image: @photochess, X (Twitter)

Legendary chess champion Garry Kasparov took to X (Twitter) to share a heartwarming message after the sibling duo made history. Congratulating not just the players but also Nagalakshmi, he wrote, "As someone whose proud mama accompanied me to every event, it's a special kind of support!" Many others have offered Nagalakshmi her laurels.

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chess R Vaishali R Praggnanandhaa FIDE chess grandmaster
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