World Chess Champion at Age 7: The Remarkable Rise of Pragnika Lakshmi

World champ at 7; 'nervous' while meeting PM Modi: How Pragnika became chess prodigy

Most seven-year-olds are mastering hopscotch or learning to tie their shoelaces. Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi? She’s mastering the Sicilian Defense—and just became a world champion.

In December 2025, this quiet, wide-eyed girl from India made history by winning gold in the Under-7 Girls category at the FIDE World Schools Chess Championship—her very first international tournament. And as if that wasn’t extraordinary enough, she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly after, admitting she was “nervous” in his presence .

But behind the medals and handshakes lies a story of pandemic-era resilience, family sacrifice, and a discipline far beyond her years. This is not just about chess—it’s about how a child’s passion, nurtured with love and structure, can move mountains.

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Who Is Pragnika Lakshmi?

Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi hails from a middle-class family in Telangana, India. With no prior chess legacy in her household, her journey began not in a grand academy, but on a tablet screen during the suffocating days of the 2020 lockdown.

What started as a screen-time distraction quickly turned into obsession. By age five, she was solving mate-in-two puzzles. By six, she was competing—and winning—in state-level tournaments .

Pragnika Lakshmi Chess Prodigy: The World Title Run

The FIDE World Schools Chess Championship 2025, held in Greece, featured hundreds of young talents from over 60 countries. Yet, Pragnika stood out—not just for her results, but for her composure.

Across nine grueling rounds, she scored an impressive 8.5 points, losing only one game. Her strategic patience, precise endgame technique, and ability to stay calm under pressure stunned coaches and spectators alike .

Crucially, this was her debut on the global stage. No warm-up events. No trial runs. Just raw talent, honed by relentless practice.

From COVID Lockdown to Chessboard

Pragnika’s chess journey began in 2020 when schools shut down. Her parents, noticing her fascination with logic games, introduced her to chess via online apps. Within weeks, she was beating beginner bots.

Recognizing her potential, her family enrolled her in offline coaching at a local academy in Hyderabad—even though it meant long commutes and financial strain. Later, she secured a scholarship from a national chess development program, easing some of the burden .

The Daily Routine of a 7-Year-Old Champion

Don’t mistake Pragnika for a child who’s given up childhood for chess. Her schedule is intense—but balanced:

  • 6:30 AM: Wake up, light exercise, and meditation (yes, at age 7!)
  • 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Regular school (she’s in Class 2)
  • 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Chess coaching + tactical drills
  • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Homework and playtime
  • 8:00 PM: Game analysis with coach or parents

Her mother, a homemaker, now studies chess notation so she can review games with her daughter. Her father, a government employee, adjusts his shifts to attend tournaments .

Family Sacrifices and Support System

Success at this level doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Pragnika’s family sold their second car to fund travel for early tournaments. Relatives chipped in for tournament fees. Teachers at her school created flexible deadlines so she wouldn’t fall behind academically.

“We never pushed her,” her father told TOI. “She’d sit for hours on her own, replaying grandmaster games. We just gave her the space to grow.”

This organic support—emotional, logistical, financial—is what turns raw talent into world-class performance.

Meeting PM Modi and the Road Ahead

After her historic win, Pragnika was invited to New Delhi, where she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shy but beaming, she later shared, “I was nervous… but he was very kind.”

Looking ahead, her coaches say she’s on track to earn the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title by age 9—and possibly the International Master (IM) title by her teens, following in the footsteps of prodigies like R Praggnanandhaa.

Her ultimate dream? “To become the best chess player in the world,” she says without hesitation .

For more inspiring young talent, explore our features on [INTERNAL_LINK:indian-chess-prodigies] and [INTERNAL_LINK:how-to-nurture-child-prodigy].

Why Pragnika’s Story Matters

In an age of instant gratification, Pragnika embodies the power of deep focus, delayed rewards, and structured passion. Her story also highlights how accessible talent development can be—when families, schools, and institutions align.

Moreover, she’s part of a golden generation of Indian chess stars, proving that excellence isn’t limited by age, gender, or geography. From villages to world stages, India’s chess revolution is only accelerating.

Summary

The Pragnika Lakshmi chess prodigy story is more than a feel-good headline—it’s a blueprint for nurturing genius. From pandemic beginnings to world champion at seven, her journey showcases the perfect storm of innate talent, family support, disciplined training, and national opportunity. As she sets her sights on global domination, one thing is clear: the world hasn’t seen the last of Pragnika Vaka Lakshmi.

Sources

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