In the past decade, few chess players have embodied the prodigy label as aptly as Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa from India. Achieving the title of International Master at the age of 10, he went on to become the second-youngest Grandmaster in 2018. Notably, he defeated Magnus Carlsen three times consecutively in online games and qualified for the Candidates tournament, following in the footsteps of the legendary Viswanathan Anand.
Amidst Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable journey, his sister Vaishali, four years his senior, patiently awaited her turn. A skilled and dedicated chess player herself, Vaishali recently made history by becoming the third-ever female Grandmaster from India, joining the ranks of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. The Chennai siblings now hold the distinction of being the first brother-sister pair to achieve the Grandmaster title in chess.
Vaishali’s chess prowess came to the forefront in November when she triumphed in the Women’s Grand Swiss tournament, defeating three former women’s world champions and securing a spot in the Women’s Candidates tournament. Theirs is a success story marked by sibling rivalry, with Vaishali acknowledging the challenges she faced when Praggnanandhaa gained widespread attention.
The siblings, who initially trained under Grandmaster RB Ramesh, took divergent paths in their chess journeys. Vaishali, initially the higher-rated player, felt the weight of expectations and media attention directed at her younger brother. However, over time, their relationship evolved, especially during the pandemic, bringing them closer as they became each other’s confidantes and supporters.
Vaishali’s recent successes, coupled with her brother’s achievements, have solidified their status as a chess powerhouse family. Their distinct playing styles – Praggnanandhaa’s strategic defense and level-headed play, contrasted with Vaishali’s tenacious attacking style – add to the intrigue of their story.
Managed by their parents, with father Rameshbabu handling logistics and mother Nagalakshmi providing unwavering support during extensive tournaments, the siblings have become a formidable force in Indian chess. Their journey, from winning age-group tournaments together to now preparing for the biggest tournaments of their lives, is a rare and captivating tale that has captured the imagination of chess enthusiasts worldwide.
