Praggnanandhaa vs IIT Delhi – an incredible day filled with chess!
On April 24, 2026, the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi welcomed one of India’s youngest chess prodigies, Praggnanandhaa, for an exciting day filled with chess. Known for its rigorous academic environment, IIT Delhi is renowned for producing some of the brightest minds in the country. The event not only showcased Praggnanandhaa’s exceptional skills but also highlighted the vibrant chess culture within the IIT community.
The Arrival of Praggnanandhaa
Having just returned from the intense FIDE Candidates tournament in Cyprus, Praggnanandhaa was greeted with enthusiasm upon his arrival at IIT Delhi. The day promised to be special, as it was an opportunity for students to engage with a chess genius in a relaxed setting.
As the clock struck 11 a.m., Praggnanandhaa made his grand entrance into the IIT Delhi premises, where large hoardings celebrating his visit adorned the campus. His mother, Nagalakshmi, was present to ensure that her son was well taken care of throughout the day.
Meeting with the IIT Delhi Director
One of the highlights of the day was Praggnanandhaa’s meeting with Professor Rangan Banerjee, the Director of IIT Delhi. Known for his expertise in energy management and policy, Professor Banerjee took time out of his busy schedule to welcome Praggnanandhaa. The two geniuses from different fields exchanged ideas and even shared a memorable moment as Praggnanandhaa signed a chessboard for the director.
The Chess Challenge: Praggnanandhaa vs IIT Delhi Chess Team
The main event of the day was a thrilling chess challenge between Praggnanandhaa and the IIT Delhi Chess Team, which consisted of seven players:
- Sumit Biswal (1572)
- Rohan Gupta (1623)
- Shamil Mohammad (1579)
- Raghav Singla (1770, rapid)
- Jairam G (1587)
- Shoan Raj (1670)
- Soham Palkar (1728)
Although the ratings of the IIT players were significantly lower than Praggnanandhaa’s, the challenge was made more exciting by the time control: each opponent had five minutes to play, while Praggnanandhaa had only one minute. This unique setup led to high-paced and thrilling games.
In one of the matches, Praggnanandhaa made a blunder right out of the opening, but his opponent was unable to capitalize on it. Ultimately, Praggnanandhaa triumphed over the IIT Delhi Chess Team with a resounding score of 7-0.
Highlights of the Matches
One of the most notable encounters was between Praggnanandhaa and Shoan Raj. In a critical moment, Shoan had the opportunity to win but missed a key move that could have turned the game in his favor. The toughest opponent for Praggnanandhaa was Soham Palkar, who boasted a chess.com rating of 2500. Soham’s competitive spirit was evident as he wore a Magnus Carlsen jersey, and the audience was on the edge of their seats during this match. However, Praggnanandhaa ultimately emerged victorious.
Throughout the day, Praggnanandhaa demonstrated his eagerness to learn from every game, engaging in post-game analysis with the players. The excitement of the matches was captured in a video that has since garnered over 350,000 views online.
Engagement with Young Talents
Amidst the competitive atmosphere, Praggnanandhaa took time to meet Aarit Kapil, a young chess talent who, at just 10 years and 8 months old, has already achieved a rating of 2350 and secured one International Master (IM) norm. The two engaged in discussions about chess strategies, including an intriguing queen versus rook endgame scenario.
The Simultaneous Exhibition
The highlight of the event was the simultaneous exhibition held in Dogra Hall, where over 700 students gathered to witness Praggnanandhaa in action. Twelve players were selected to compete against him through a rigorous process that included both online and over-the-board tournaments. The participants were:
- Aadit Prakash Bhagade – Computer Science and Engineering, 1st Year
- Kaushik Panigrahi – Mechanical Engineering, 2nd Year
- Aniket Vishwakarma – Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, 3rd Year
- Amaan Qamar – Mechanical Engineering, 3rd Year
- Bhavishya Motwani – Computer Science, 1st Year
- Priyanshu Yadav – Computer Science, 4th Year
- Ayush Sahu – Applied Mechanics, 3rd Year
- Raj Dakshit – Computer Science, 2nd Year
- Amar Sinha – Computer Science, 2nd Year
- Nivesh Kumar Dhirwal – Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, 2nd Year
- Neev Mittal – Mathematics, 1st Year
- Aarnav Jain – Mechanical Engineering, 2nd Year
Each player had a preferred entry song, which added a fun element to the event as they took their places on stage. The atmosphere was electric, with students cheering for their peers and for Praggnanandhaa.
Conclusion of the Event
As the event progressed, Praggnanandhaa showcased his brilliance by taking black pieces in all his games. He opened with various pawn moves, keeping his opponents guessing. The games were broadcast live on screens, and players had the option to request a position evaluation once during their matches. This added an exciting twist to the competition.
Nagalakshmi, Praggnanandhaa’s mother, received a standing ovation from the crowd, acknowledging her support for her son’s chess journey. A quiz was conducted during the event, where attendees could win signed mugs from Praggnanandhaa, further engaging the
