Chess: R Praggnanandhaa receives heroes welcome at Chennai airport on return from FIDE World Cup

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Chennai, Aug 30: Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa returned to a rousing reception in Chennai on Wednesday (August 30) upon his arrival in his hometown.

The 18-year-old grand master scripted history by clinching the silver medal in the just-concluded FIDE World Cup 2023, and qualified for the FIDE Candidates tournament. Upon his arrival at the Chennai airport, he was accorded a rousing reception and swarmed by camera persons.

Praggnanandhaa - returned home from Germany after emerging as the champion of the FIDE World Rapid Team Championship - was received by officials from the state sports department at the airport. R Praggnanandhaa becomes World Champion days after Chess World Cup defeat

Hundreds of his fans eagerly waited at the exit gate and presented him with a crown of flowers, a shawl and bouquets. Flowers were strewn on his path as he stepped out and artists performed Karagattam and Oyilattam, folk dances of Tamil Nadu, on the occasion.

The teenager took his time watching the media persons swarm on either side of the vehicle into which he got into, and reacted "I am very happy over the reception." He accepted the national tricolour offered to him and waved it.

His mother Nagalakshmi too expressed glee over the grand reception accorded to her 18-year-old son. Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa's dream run in the FIDE World Cup ended at the hands of Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, who beat him 1.5-0.5 in the tie-break at Baku, Azerbaijan, on August 24 after the classical games ended in a stalemate.

Despite the final result, Praggnanandhaa's achievement resonated with the dreams of 140 crore people, Chief Minister M K Stalin had said and congratulated him for clinching the silver medal and entering the FIDE Candidates tournament.

The young Grand Master has an elder sister R Vaishali, who is two-time youth chess champion. His parents Rameshbabu, a manager at the TNSC Bank and mother have been a great source of inspiration to Praggnanandhaa.

(With PTI inputs)