In a heartwarming moment that captured the nation's attention, seven-year-old chess champion Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi proudly told Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "Main World School Chess mein champion bani aur India k liye gold laayi." Her Telugu-accented Hindi, filled with palpable innocence, charmed the Prime Minister during the interaction with recipients of the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025 on Friday.
From Serbia to New Delhi: A Champion's Dream
Pragnika's extraordinary achievement came earlier this year at the FIDE World Schools Chess Championship 2025 in Serbia, where she clinched the Under-7 Girls title. For the young prodigy, meeting the Prime Minister was a moment far removed from her normal life. "She was a little bit nervous while interacting with Modi sir," her mother, Praveena, revealed to TimesofIndia.com from Guwahati, Assam, where Pragnika is currently competing in the Under-9 National Chess Tournament.
Praveena added that her daughter understood the significance of the figures she was meeting but perhaps not the full weight of the honor. "She just knew that she was meeting the President and the Prime Minister. She doesn't understand how big this achievement is for her or for us as a family." When asked about her future plans, Pragnika simply stated, "I want to become the best chess player when I grow up," eliciting a smile from PM Modi.
The Making of a Prodigy: A Family's Chess Journey
Pragnika's journey into the world of 64 squares began in Surat, Gujarat, born out of a simple desire to keep her and her elder sister occupied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her sister, Varenya (now 11), started with online chess classes, eventually becoming a state-level player. Pragnika began as a watchful observer. "We were just observing whether she was interested," Praveena recalled. "She would sit with her sister and watch."
Formal training under coach Vicky Chauhan began shortly after Pragnika's fifth birthday. The results were swift and stunning. "Within three or four months, she became champion at the state level. At that time, she was only six," her mother said. What sets Pragnika apart, according to her family, is her temperament. "She is very courageous... My younger one is very daring. Nervousness is the main thing in chess. When you feel free, your mind works."
Remarkably, winning a world championship in her very first international tournament was never the goal. "We didn't even think about winning," Praveena admitted. "We just wanted to see how she would play internationally." That nine-round tournament in Serbia ultimately changed the trajectory for the entire family.
Sacrifices, Scholarships, and a Grounded Routine
Behind the glittering trophies and international accolades lies a story of significant financial commitment and family sacrifice. Chess, as Praveena points out, is an expensive pursuit. "One international tournament costs around Rs 4 lakh. With that money, we can play 10 tournaments in India," she explained. Coaching costs present another major hurdle, with sessions from FIDE Masters or International Masters often exceeding Rs 2,000 per hour.
Some relief comes in the form of a Rs 30,000 to 35,000 scholarship each for Pragnika and her sister from the Sports Authority of Gujarat. The investment is clearly paying off; between them, the two sisters have already won over 230 trophies.
Despite her global fame, Pragnika's daily life remains remarkably grounded. She attends school daily and practices chess afterward. She trains offline three to four times a week, a method her mother prefers. "For Pragnika, offline coaching is better... When the coach is in front of her, he talks to her, jokes with her, plays with her. That comfort is important." At school, she is seen as a celebrity, with her name frequently appearing in school magazines, which serves as a great motivation.
The family, originally from Andhra Pradesh but settled in Gujarat, is taking a measured approach to the future. Praveena, an IT professional who resigned to support her daughters' chess careers but has recently returned to work-from-home, is candid about their plans. "I don't know about the future... What we have got so far is extra." They intend to observe Pragnika's growth and interest over the next two years, potentially exploring Asian-level tournaments in 2026. "If she is interested, we will move forward. If not, we won't stop her from choosing something else."
For now, Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi is simply a seven-year-old who loves chess, gets nervous meeting the Prime Minister, dreams in simple sentences, and, like any good girl, eats all her vegetables—with ladyfinger being her absolute favorite. Her story adds another shining chapter to India's ongoing golden era in chess, following the successes of players like D Gukesh, Koneru Humpy, and Divya Deshmukh.
