In 2024, the chess world celebrated a remarkable achievement as siblings Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu became the first-ever brother-sister pair to earn the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title. At 23, Vaishali joined her younger brother Pragg, who had earned his GM title in 2018, marking a historic moment not just for Indian chess, but for the global chess community.
A Journey of Talent and Determination
Praggnanandhaa's Early Success
Praggnanandhaa, affectionately known as "Pragg," made headlines worldwide when he secured his GM title at the age of 12 years, 10 months, and 13 days, becoming the second-youngest person ever to achieve this rank. Only Russia's Sergey Karjakin was younger when he earned the title at 12 years and 7 months in 2002.
Trivia: The record for the youngest Grandmaster is now held by Abhimanyu "Abhi" Mishra, an American prodigy of Indian descent. Abhi shattered Karjakin's record in 2021 by earning his GM title at 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days.
Vaishali Rameshbabu's Rise to Grandmaster
In December 2023, Vaishali Rameshbabu made her own mark in the chess world by crossing the 2500 rating threshold at the Llobregat Open Chess Tournament in Spain. With this achievement, she fulfilled all the necessary requirements for the Grandmaster title, becoming the third woman and the 84th person from India to do so. On January 21, 2024, the Indian Chess Federation submitted her GM title application to the FIDE Qualification Committee.
Sibling Success Continues: A First in Candidates Tournaments
In 2024, Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa made history once again by becoming the first siblings ever to compete in their respective World Chess Candidates Tournaments. These tournaments are among the most prestigious in chess, featuring the top 8 players in the world vying for the chance to challenge the reigning World Chess Champion in a 12-game match.
2024 Women's Candidates Tournament
Final Results, April 22, 2024
Vaishali tied for 2nd place with 7.5 points, an impressive performance that included more wins (6) than any other competitor in the tournament.
2024 World Chess Candidates Tournament
Final Results, April 22, 2024
Pragg finished 5th with 7 points, having secured 3 wins, 3 losses, and 8 draws in one of the most fiercely contested tournaments of the year.
Current Rankings & Ratings
As of August 2024, Vaishali, with a rating of 2506, is ranked the 11th strongest female chess player in the world, a testament to her rapid ascent in the chess world.
Meanwhile, Pragg, with a rating of 2749, is ranked the 12th strongest chess player globally. Remarkably, Pragg now outranks the current World Chess Champion, China's Ding Liren, who, after a series of challenging matches, is ranked 15th with a rating of 2745.
Upcoming World Chess Championship Match:
In November-December 2024, Ding Liren is set to defend his title against India's Dommaraju Gukesh in Singapore. At just 18 years old, Gukesh will be the youngest challenger in the history of the World Chess Championship.
The Rameshbabu Family: A Story of Support and Sacrifice
The journey of Vaishali and Pragg to the pinnacle of chess success is deeply rooted in their family's unwavering support. Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Vaishali (June 21, 2001) and Pragg (August 10, 2005) were raised in a family that nurtured their talent and passion for chess.
Their father, Rameshbabu, works as a branch manager at the Tamil Nadu State Apex Co-operative Bank, while their mother, Nagalakshmi, is a dedicated homemaker. Nagalakshmi has been the driving force behind her children's chess careers, meticulously managing their tournament schedules and traveling with them to competitions around the world.
Family Portrait (2018):
Pragg, pictured alongside his mother Nagalakshmi, father Rameshbabu, and sister Vaishali, just after earning his GM title.
The Rameshbabu family's story is one of dedication, perseverance, and a shared love for the game of chess, which continues to inspire chess enthusiasts around the world.
Article Credit: This article was adapted and rewritten. Special thanks to John Bain of Chess for Students. John's three student workbooks are some of the very best beginner chess manuals.
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