GM Pranav Anand - Profile | NAAV Foundation

Chess Journey

Pranav Anand began learning chess at age six when his father offered him a choice between a Ludo board and a chess board — he picked chess because it looked like fun. His grandfather, a strong player himself, was an early influence. Formal training began under Late L. Seshadri in Mysore, followed by Jayaram at Chess Shoots Academy, Vishal Sareen, and IM V. Saravanan, He currently works with many International Grandmasters.

Known for his calculation and endgame strength, Pranav has maintained a 40+ hour weekly training workload for years. Coach V. Saravanan describes him as "almost maniacal in his pursuit of chess study and play," with a fundamentally strategic style of active positional play.

2015–2016 · Early dominance

Won Karnataka State U-9 Championship (2015) and U-11 Championship (2016). Became World No. 1 in the Under-10 category in September 2016 after a string of tournaments in Austria and the Czech Republic, gaining 330 Elo points. Rated 2230 on the FIDE list at age 10.

2018 · FIDE Master

Earned his first IM norm at Rilton Cup 2018–19. Awarded the FIDE Master title.

2019–2020 · IM norms

Scored IM norms at Biel Masters 2019 and Aeroflot Open B 2020 (where he won with the black pieces in the final round to secure 1.5/2). The COVID-19 pandemic delayed his title confirmation.

February 2021 · International Master

At age 14 years, 3 months, and 15 days, defeated GM Stefan Djurić at Radnicki Chess GM Round-Robin in Belgrade to cross 2400 and become India's first IM of 2021 — and one of the youngest IMs in the country.

January–July 2022 · GM norms

Secured GM norms at Sitges Open (Jan), Vezerkepzo GM Round Robin (Mar), and 55th Biel Chess Festival (Jul) — drawing with GM Eduardo Iturrizaga (2619) and beating GMs Maxime Lagarde (2631) and S.P. Sethuraman (2623).

September 2022 · Grandmaster & World Champion

At 15 years, 10 months, and 12 days, crossed 2500 live rating at the World Youth Chess Championship in Mamaia, Romania, becoming India's 76th Grandmaster and the youngest from Karnataka. Won the U-16 World Youth Gold with 9/11, finishing 1.5 points ahead of the field.

2023–2024 · Rising on the world stage

Won Biel Chess Festival Rapid Open (8/9, Jul 2023). Finished 10th at World Junior 2023 (Mexico) and World Junior 2024 (India) — the only Indian in the top 10 at both editions. Led World Junior 2023 after Round 6.

2025–2026 · Peak form

Reached a peak standard rating of 2606 (Jan 2026). Won President's Cup of Tajikistan (Nov 2025) and 42nd Cappelle la Grande Open (Feb 2026). Finished 4th at London Chess Classic Open, 2nd at Biel MTO, and played Magnus Carlsen at the World Blitz Championship with a 2739 performance rating.

Latest Form & Recent Tournaments

Pranav competes regularly on the international circuit. Selected results from FIDE-rated events (2025–2026):

Tournament	Date	Result	Score
42nd Cappelle la Grande Open	Feb 2026	🥇 Winner	7.5/9
Asian Individual Chess Championship	May–Jun 2026	7th (Best Indian)	6.5/9
President's Cup of Tajikistan	Nov 2025	🥇 Winner	7/9
London Chess Classic Open	Dec 2025	4th (0.5 pts behind 1st)	6.5/9
58th Biel Chess Festival MTO	Jul 2025	🥈 Runner-up	7.5/10
XLIV Open Villa de Benasque	Jul 2025	3rd (TPR 2645)	8.5/10
Sharjah Masters	May 2025	17th	—
Asian Individual Chess Championship	2025, Al Ain	13th	—
FIDE World Blitz Championship	Dec 2025	25th (TPR 2739)	12/19
World Junior Championship	2023 & 2024	10th (only Indian in top 10)	—
56th Biel Chess Festival Rapid	Jul 2023	🥇 Winner	8/9
Groningen Chess Festival A	Dec 2022	🥇 Winner	—
World Youth U-16 Championship	Sep 2022, Romania	🥇 Gold Medalist	9/11

Full tournament history available on FIDE profile (Calculations tab) and Lichess FIDE page.

Significant Accomplishments

76th Chess Grand Master (GM) of India at age of 15yrs 10 months and 12 days, Sep'2022
International Master (IM) at age of 14 years 3 months and 15 days achieved in Feb'21
World Youth U-16 Gold Medalist, World Youth Chess Championship, Romania, Sep'2022
Winner of Capelle Chess Open, Feb 2026
Winner of President's Cup of Tajikistan, Nov 2025
Finished 4th London Chess Classic 2025 in 4th position (0.5pts behind the 1st place)
Only Indian in top-10 Asian Men Championship, Feb 2026
Runner up in Biel MTO July 2025
Tied for 1st place in the Benasque Open 2025 and finished 3rd on tie breaks
Tied for 10th position and finished 17th overall in the Sharjah Masters Championship, UAE - May 2025
Tied for 8th position but finished 13th post tie breaks in the Asian Men Championship at Al Ain, UAE 2025
Only Indian in top-10 finish in World Junior 2023, World Junior 2024
Asian Youth U-16 Gold medalist, Asian Youth Chess Championship, October 2021
Ranked 10th in World Juniors in 2023 (Mexico) and 2024 (India). Only Indian in top-10 in both editions.
Winner of Groningen Chess Festival A in Dec 2022
Winner of Biel Chess Festival Rapid Open in July 2023
Won Best Junior award in Riga Open, Aug 2021
World U-10 No. 1 (September 2016); Karnataka State U-9 & U-11 Champion

Spotlight: Facing Magnus Carlsen

At the FIDE World Blitz Championship 2025, Pranav scored wins against GMs Amin Bassem, Robert Hovhannisyan, Richard Rapport, and Volodar Murzin, finishing with 12/19 and a 2739 performance rating. In Round 5 he was paired with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.

                    "It was a great fight and a true honour to play him. I am confident that in the future I will get more chances to play against him over the board."
                    — Pranav Anand, after his game vs Magnus Carlsen, World Blitz 2025
                

Pranav has annotated the game in detail for ChessBase India, analysing key moments including Carlsen's 21.Ng3! and the tactical sequence 31.Nf7+.

Education

XI-XII – National Public School, Koramangala – (Maths + Commerce) CBSE, June'23 – March'25
X standard, Delhi Public School (East) (CBSE), Bengaluru, June 2021 – March 2023