R Praggnanandhaa wins World Youth Chess Championship in U-18 category

R Praggnanandhaa emerged as an unconquered king in the World Youth Chess Championship in Mumbai, claiming the Gold in the Under-18 Open category on Saturday. He became the first-ever male Chess player to win a World title in the age category. Praggnanandhaa already has the title of the International Master (IM) and Grandmaster (GM) to his name.

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The win

The 14-year-old Grand Master from Chennai settled for a cautious draw in the 11th and final round against Valentin Buckels (Germany) to top the charts with nine points. He, however, will also have to thank compatriot, International Master Arjun Kalyan for achieving a crucial draw against top-seeded Shant Sargsyan (Armenia). Praggnanandhaa would have been under pressure if Grand Master Shant had won. But Shant could not unravel a determined Arjun, allowing Praggnanandhaa to annex the title. The Championship ended on a high note for India, with six other medals, including three silver, coming their way. Only the Under-16 Girls category proved tough for India, although B M Akshaya gave a good account of herself. Akshaya lost the medal to Anousha Mahdian, suffering an unexpected defeat to her in the final round. But Indian girls in the Under-14 segment compensated for it, with Divya Deshmukh and Rakshitta Ravi winning two medals. Top seed Women's International Master Divya, who seemed to be out of contention midway through the event, pulled off a well-thought-out victory in the last round to clinch silver. Rakshitta too beat overnight leader Bat-Erdene Mungunzul on the top board to earn the bronze. Kazakhstan's Meruert Kamalidenova, however, was the star of this category, registering five straight wins to clinch the gold. Fide Master L R Srihari (Under-14 Open) and Vantika Agrawal (Under-16 Girls) collected the other two silver medals for India, playing out draws in their respective matches. Vantika had an outside chance of pocketing the gold, especially after top seed Polina Shuvalova (8.5) settled for a draw. Vantika, with eight points, however, couldn't beat.

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Other winners

Alexandra Obolentseva of Russia, and finished half a point behind Shuvalova. Srihari (8), who was in contention for the gold at the start of the penultimate day, endured draws in the last two rounds to slip to the second position. S Maralakshikari won the bronze, after beating the surprise package of the championship, R Abinandhan. CM Aronyak Ghosh (8) claimed the other bronze for the country in the Under-16 Open category after drawing with Iran's Arash Daghli. He will, however, look back at the WYCC as a missed opportunity, after accepting a quick draw in the penultimate round.

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