Praggnanandhaa Clinches First Grand Chess Tour Title at Superbet Classic

Indian chess prodigy Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa achieved a major milestone in his career by winning his first-ever Grand Chess Tour tournament — the Superbet Classic 2025 held in Bucharest, Romania. He emerged victorious after a tense tiebreak battle against top-ranked players including Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alireza Firouzja, marking a historic moment for Indian chess on the global stage.

Why in News?

Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa won the 2025 Superbet Classic, a key event in the Grand Chess Tour. It is his first tournament victory on the prestigious Grand Chess Tour circuit. The win follows a comeback from a poor play-off performance in 2024, showcasing his resilience and form. His triumph reflects India’s rising dominance in global chess.

Highlights of the Victory

• Event: Superbet Classic 2025, part of the Grand Chess Tour
• Location: Bucharest, Romania
• Winner: R. Praggnanandhaa (India)
• Prize Money: $77,667 (~₹66 lakh)
• Final Score: Tied at 5.5 points with Vachier-Lagrave and Firouzja in classical games
• Tiebreak Format: Blitz games (5 minutes + 2-second increment per move)

Tiebreak Sequence

• Game 1: Praggnanandhaa vs Firouzja – Draw
• Game 2: Firouzja vs Vachier-Lagrave – Draw
• Game 3: Praggnanandhaa vs Vachier-Lagrave – Praggnanandhaa wins

Strategic Elements

• Early draw with Aronian allowed Praggnanandhaa to rest before tiebreakers.
• He credited his trainer GM RB Ramesh and second GM Vaibhav Suri for the preparation and support.
• Demonstrated composure under pressure and sharp tactical skills in blitz formats.

Background & Static Facts

• R. Praggnanandhaa: Indian Grandmaster, one of the youngest ever to achieve the title.
• Grand Chess Tour: An international circuit of elite chess tournaments featuring classical and rapid formats.
• Superbet Classic: One of the main events in the Grand Chess Tour, hosted in Romania.

Significance of the Achievement

• Establishes Praggnanandhaa as a serious contender in world chess.
• A landmark moment for Indian chess following the success of players like Viswanathan Anand, Gukesh D, and Vidit Gujrathi.
• Boosts India’s profile in the elite chess circuit.