Double gold for Grandmaster Pranav Venkatesh at youth World Championships

CHENNAI: “Nothing special, these events was just a warm-up for me ahead of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships,” Grandmaster Pranav Venkatesh told TOI after striking double gold at the FIDE World Youth Under-18 Open Rapid and Blitz Championships in Slovenia on Tuesday.
As the top seed in both sections and the sole Grandmaster in the events, the 18-year-old Chennai boy lived up to his billing with ease. In the rapid category, Pranav scored 9.5/11 to finish half-a-point clear of his nearest challenger. Russia’s FIDE Master Alexander Khripachenko scored 9/11 to secure silver, while FM Roman Pyrih of Ukraine bagged bronze scoring 7.5/11.
Pranav stunned the field in blitz with a staggering 19.5/22, clinching the title with a round to spare and finishing four points ahead of the silver winner. Russia’s Dmitry Mochalov claimed silver with 15.5/22, while his compatriot Khripachenko took bronze (14.5/22). International Master Eline Roebers from the Netherlands stood out as the only female participant in the open events. Delivering a remarkable performance, she secured 7.5 points out of 11 to claim the fourth place in the rapid category. The talented Dutch teenager was also one of just two players to defeat Pranav in the blitz format.
Pranav hopes to take confidence from these events ahead of his next challenge at the World Rapid and Blitz Worlds, scheduled to be held at the Wall Street from December 26 to 31. “I’m very happy with my wins and I’m looking forward to continuing my good form in New York.”
Pranav, who was introduced to chess at seven by his father Venkatesh, has been steadily rising through the ranks. Two years ago, he became India’s 75th GM and a month ago, Pranav won the Challenger section of the Chennai Grand Masters tournament. This Chennai Challenger victory will provide him a chance to play in the Masters section of next year’s event which will add immense value to his chess career. “My goal is to become a world champion in all three formats of chess,” he said.