Olympiad: Pragg outwits Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri for first win; sister Vaishali loses
Indian chess grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa secured a significant victory against Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri during the 46th Chess Olympiad. This win follows a string of high-profile performances that have solidified his reputation as a top-tier global player.
Why it matters
The rise of young Indian chess talent highlights a shift in the global competitive landscape of the sport, traditionally dominated by European and Russian players.
NEW DELHI: When it was finally revealed that Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa would play Board 1, meaning he would face the toughest oppositions — like his oppoennet in Anish Giri in India's match against the Netherlands on Sunday — at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, many raised eyebrows at world champion Dommaraju Gukesh being pushed down to Board 4, the weakest slot in the line-up. Nobody, though, questioned Praggnanandhaa's credentials to lead the top board.Since an underwhelming campaign at the Cyprus Candidates earlier this year, the Chennai-born grandmaster has been in outstanding form. He beat World No.
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