Fujairah Glory—Superstars Champion
Fresh off his 2025 World Junior Championship win, an 18-year-old Pranav V has just claimed the Superstars section title at the inaugural Fujairah Global Chess Championship. Seeding at 23, he defied expectations with a commanding finish: a final-round win over Spain’s GM Alan Pichot secured Pranav the trophy with a score of 7/9, a full point ahead of his toughest rivals .
This victory came with a hefty 28-rating-point gain, propelling him into a career-best live rating of 2631 and nets him 17.6 FIDE Circuit points—not to mention the roughly US$ 23,000 top prize .
From Chennai to Grandstage—Rapid Rise
Pranav’s trajectory has been nothing short of meteoric: From winning the Chennai Grand Masters challengers title in November 2024, to double gold at the Youth World Rapid & Blitz, and ultimately clinching the World Junior Championship in March 2025—each victory has catapulted him to the next level .
A Bold Strategy—Playing Without a Coach
Even more striking is Pranav’s fearless independence. At a competitive Masters event, he opted to compete without a coach, a daring choice he reinforced with gritty performances—including a draw against the elite Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri .
Grand Swiss Surprise—Qualified Against Odds
Adding another chapter to his story, Pranav secured entry into the prestigious Grand Swiss 2025 through a remarkable, unconventional route. The circumstances around his qualification have impressed many, proving that nothing about Pranav’s journey is ordinary .
What Makes This So Remarkable
Late-stage champion mentality — From junior titles to international open victories, Pranav is delivering consistently.
Steady rating surge — The latest win vaults him toward the 2700 elite, marking one of the fastest rises seen in Indian chess.
Fearless autonomy — His ability to perform without a coach speaks volumes about his maturity and self-belief.
Grand aspirations — With entry into major tournaments like the Grand Swiss, he’s on a path toward elite-level chess.
