R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu: Grandmaster Siblings from Chennai Shine with
Double Gold at Chess Olympiad
In a remarkable achievement, grandmaster siblings R Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali
Rameshbabu from Chennai have made history by winning gold medals at the 2024 FIDE Chess
Olympiad. Representing India in both the men’s and women’s teams, this brother-sister duo has
firmly established themselves on the global chess scene, marking an unprecedented milestone
in the sport.
Historic Double Gold for India
The 2024 FIDE Chess Olympiad in Hungary was a landmark event for India. The men’s team,
featuring R Praggnanandhaa alongside D Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi, and Pentala
Harikrishna, clinched gold in the open section. Meanwhile, the women’s team, led by R Vaishali
and including Harika Dronavalli, Divya Deshmukh, Vantika Agarwal, and Tania Sachdev, also
secured a historic gold. India’s performance was exceptional, as they triumphed over top-tier
teams like Slovenia and Azerbaijan, solidifying their status as a leading chess nation.
For Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali, winning gold in the same tournament was a moment of
immense pride for their family and the country.
R Praggnanandhaa: Chess Prodigy
Born in 2005, R Praggnanandhaa has rapidly ascended to become one of India’s top chess
players. He stole the spotlight early in his career by becoming the youngest international master
at age 10, and in 2018, he became a grandmaster at just 12, making him the second-youngest
grandmaster in history. Praggnanandhaa’s career has been marked by amazing victories
against some of the world’s top-ranked players, resulting in his gold medal at the 2024
Olympiad.
Vaishali Rameshbabu: A Journey of Resilience and Determination
Vaishali Rameshbabu, born in 2001, is Praggnanandhaa’s elder sister and a formidable chess
player in her own right. Despite initially feeling overshadowed by her brother’s accomplishments,
Vaishali was determined to carve out her own identity in the chess world. Overcoming the notion
of being recognized solely as Praggnanandhaa’s sister, she earned her Woman Grandmaster
title in 2018 and has made significant strides in women’s chess, including twice winning the
Girls’ World Youth Chess Championship. Her resilience and strategic prowess were instrumental
in the women’s team’s success at the Olympiad.
The success of Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali is a testament to the unwavering support of their
family. Their parents, Rameshbabu and Nagalakshmi, have played an instrumental role while
contributing to their children’s success. While Nagalakshmi travels with her children for
tournaments, Rameshbabu manages home, providing constant encouragement.
The family’s commitment to chess has been inspirational, with both siblings achieving
remarkable success. As their father proudly states, the most fulfilling aspect of their journey is
not just their individual accolades, but India’s dominance in the Olympiad
