In August 2025, Pranesh M (Pranesh Munirethinam) captured the spotlight at the Chennai Grand Masters 2025. He won the Challengers section with a strong score of 6.5/9. This victory not only gave him the title but also secured his promotion to the 2026 Masters. For Indian chess, it was another reminder of the country’s incredible depth of young talent.
Early Life & First Steps in Chess
Pranesh was born in 2006 in Tamil Nadu, India. He started playing chess at an early age and quickly showed his gift for the game. His parents and coaches supported his passion, and soon he was competing in youth events across the country.
Growing up in Tamil Nadu, the chess capital of India, meant Pranesh had strong role models. He was inspired by legends like Viswanathan Anand and rising stars such as Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh, who were also from the same region.
Breakthrough Moments
Pranesh’s breakthrough came in January 2023 when he became India’s 79th Grandmaster. He achieved his final GM norm at the Rilton Cup in Stockholm, winning the event with 8/9. This made headlines worldwide and announced him as one of India’s brightest young players.
In youth competitions, he also performed consistently, winning medals in Asian and World junior categories. Each year, he showed steady progress in rating and results.
Style of Play
Pranesh is known for his sharp and tactical style. He enjoys complications and often pushes for creative attacking chances. Many of his wins come from bold sacrifices and fearless play.
At the same time, he has also matured into a balanced player. In classical events, he has shown that he can stay patient, defend well, and strike when the opportunity comes.
Major Achievements & Stats
- India’s 79th Grandmaster (January 2023).
- Winner of the Rilton Cup 2023 in Stockholm with 8/9.
- Strong performances in Asian and World junior events.
- Multiple open tournament victories across Europe and Asia.
- Chennai Grand Masters 2025 Challengers Champion with 6.5/9.
- Earned qualification for the 2026 Masters.
- Peak FIDE rating: 2590+ (2025).
Recent Highlight – Chennai Grand Masters 2025
At the 2025 Chennai Grand Masters, Pranesh showed steady form. He beat Abhimanyu Puranik (R6), defeated Vaishali Rameshbabu (R7), and won against Harika Dronavalli (R8). He drew with Diptayan Ghosh (R2). These results kept him in front and secured the Challengers title.
His final score of 6.5/9 placed him ahead of experienced players like Adhiban Baskaran and Abhimanyu Puranik, who finished half a point behind. This win earned him the right to play in the 2026 Masters, where he will join stars such as Vincent Keymer, the Masters Champion of 2025.
Also Read: How to Become a Grandmaster in Chess?
Rising Generation of Indian Chess
Pranesh is part of India’s golden generation. He belongs to the same wave of talent as Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin. All of them were born in the 2000s and are now competing at the highest level.
His victory in Chennai showed that India’s chess strength is not limited to a few stars. The country has a wide pool of young players ready to shine on the global stage.
Inspiration for Young Players
Pranesh’s journey is a great lesson for children. It shows that when kids learn chess with patience and focus, results will follow. He proved that hard work and consistency matter more than quick wins. Even though many of his peers gained attention earlier, he kept improving step by step until he reached the Grandmaster level. His story is an inspiration for young players who start to learn chess online or decide to join chess classes to build their skills.
For parents, his story is inspiring. It shows how steady support, training, and patience can help a child achieve international success.
Looking Ahead
At only 19 years old, Pranesh has already achieved a lot. His next big test will come in the 2026 Masters, where he will play against world-class players.With his fearless style and growing maturity, Pranesh looks set to climb higher in the rankings. Many believe he could soon join India’s elite group of 2700-rated players.
