India’s R Praggnanandhaa is just two rounds away from becoming the second youngest Grandmaster in the history of the game.

Playing in the Gredine Open in Italy, the 12-year-old has a score of 5.5/7. A bright show in the remaining two games could see him achieve the final GM norm.

In the seven rounds, Praggnanandhaa has registered four wins and three draws.

The Chennai boy needs to earn three norms and a 2500 rating. So Praggnanandhaa requires one more norm to earn a GM title. He had won his first GM norm at the World Junior Championships in Tarvisio about five months back.

Advertisement

Sergey Karjakin of Russia holds the record for being the youngest GM at 12 years and seven months. He achieved that in 2002.

In 2016, Praggnanandhaa became the youngest International Master at 10 years, 10 months, and 19 days.