Indian Chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa made every Indian proud when he bagged the silver medal at the 2023 FIDE World Chess Cup, and by doing so, entered the FIDE Candidates tournament as well. Despite losing in the final to world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa received heaps of praise from across the country for his superb performance at the World Cup. As Praggnanandhaa returned from Baku, the 18-year-old received a grand welcome at Chennai airport on Wednesday.
The officials from the state sports department received him at the airport. His fans eagerly waited at the exit gate and presented him a crown of flowers, a shawl and bouquets. Flowers were strewn on his path as he stepped out and artists performed Karagattam and Oyilattam, folk dances of Tamil Nadu, on the occasion.
The teenager took his time watching the media persons swarm on either side of the vehicle into which he got into, and reacted “I am very happy over the reception.”
His mother Nagalakshmi too expressed glee over the grand reception accorded to her 18-year-old son.
Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa's dream run in the FIDE World Cup ended at the hands of Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, who beat him 1.5-0.5 in the tie-break at Baku, Azerbaijan, on August 24 after the classical games ended in a stalemate.
Despite the final result, Praggnanandhaa's achievement resonated with the dreams of 140 crore people, Chief Minister M K Stalin had said and congratulated him for clinching the silver medal and entering the FIDE Candidates tournament.
The young Grand Master has an elder sister R Vaishali, who is two times youth chess champion.
(With PTI input)
