Emotional triumph: R Praggnanandha's mother's joy shines as he advances to chess World Cup semis

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has etched his name in the annals of chess history by securing a coveted spot in the semifinals of the FIDE World Cup held in the picturesque city of Baku, Azerbaijan. This remarkable accomplishment was realized through his hard-fought victory over compatriot Arjun Erigaisi in a tension-filled sudden-death tie-breaker, propelling him into a league of elite players vying for the championship title. In doing so, Praggnanandhaa joins the esteemed ranks of Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand, becoming only the second Indian chess player to advance to this crucial stage of the renowned tournament.

Mother of GM Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa during the quarterfinals match
v/s
After the match!

Shades of concern, pure love and pride of Mother all captured in these two pictures!
Go Pragg, get the crown for India! #FIDEWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MfcjcNs04C

— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) August 17, 2023

The resonance of this achievement reverberated across the chess community, with a poignant image capturing a heartfelt moment that encapsulated the essence of Praggnanandhaa's journey. The photograph, depicting Praggnanandhaa's mother, Nagalakshmi, standing beside her triumphant son during a post-match interview, swiftly became an emblem of the unbreakable bond between a mother and her prodigious child. A complementary snapshot depicted Nagalakshmi, tears of pride and joy glistening in her eyes, as she basked in a solitary moment of overwhelming emotion.

The unwavering support of his mother has been a cornerstone of Praggnanandhaa's journey, a fact he graciously acknowledged, saying, "It's definitely good to have someone here. My mother is always supportive! Even after losing games, she was just trying to calm me down. It's good to have someone rooting for you here, and for me, my mother is a big support-not only for me but for my sister as well."

With this victory, Praggnanandhaa has earned himself a coveted berth in the forthcoming Candidates event, a testament to his growing stature in the global chess arena. His next challenge in the semifinals will emanate from the formidable American contender, Fabiano Caruana, setting the stage for an intense battle of strategic wits and mental acumen. The top triumvirates in this tournament will secure their places in the 2024 Candidates event, a tournament that holds the power to anoint the ultimate challenger to the reigning world champion, Ding Liren. By virtue of his participation in the Candidates event, Praggnanandhaa will achieve the distinction of being the sole additional Indian representative, standing shoulder to shoulder with the venerable Viswanathan Anand in this prestigious tournament.