Who is Aravindh Chithambaram? Know all about Indian Grand Masters who won Prague Masters 2025

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Aravindh Chithambaram has captured the nation's attention with his sensational triumph at the Prague Masters 2025, cementing his place among India's top chess elites.

His undefeated run against world-class opponents, including R Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri, showcases his growing dominance. With this victory, Aravindh has firmly established himself as a rising force in global chess. Let's find out all about him below:

Personal Details

Aravindh Chithambaram Veerappan, born on September 11, 1999, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, is one of India's brightest chess talents. Despite a challenging childhood, he pursued chess with determination, rising through the ranks to become a formidable Grandmaster.

Family and Early Life

Aravindh lost his father at the age of three and was raised by his mother, who worked as a Life Insurance Corporation agent to support the family. Initially drawn to cricket, he was introduced to chess by his paternal grandfather at the age of seven. His talent quickly became evident, leading him to Chennai under the mentorship of Grandmaster RB Ramesh. He studied at Velammal Higher Secondary School, known for producing top chess talents, including reigning world champion D. Gukesh.

Education and Chess Training

Aravindh’s chess education was shaped in Chennai, often regarded as India's chess capital. He trained under GM RB Ramesh, whose guidance played a crucial role in his rapid progress. By the age of 12, he won the Indian U-19 Chess Championship, marking the beginning of his journey to the elite chess circuit.

Chess Career and Achievements

Aravindh made headlines in 2013 when, as a FIDE Master, he won the Chennai Grandmaster International Open, defeating multiple Grandmasters and earning his first GM norm. He secured his International Master title in 2014 and became a Grandmaster in 2015.

He won the Indian Chess Championship in 2018 and 2019, a testament to his dominance in the national circuit. In 2018, he made history by becoming India’s national champion across Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats, an unparalleled achievement.

Prague Masters 2025 Victory

Aravindh’s biggest career milestone came in March 2025 when he won the Prague Chess Festival Masters with an undefeated 6/9 score. He outclassed world No. 8 R Praggnanandhaa, Anish Giri, Vincent Keymer, and Wei Yi. This victory followed his triumph at the Chennai Grand Masters, where he stunned world No. 5 Arjun Erigaisi and defeated Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

Overtaking Anand in Live Rankings

With a live rating of 2745.1, Aravindh climbed to India’s No. 4 position, surpassing legendary five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. His rise signals a promising future, placing him among the elite of world chess.