Pentala Harikrishna

Pentala Harikrishna is an Indian chess grandmaster, born on May 10, 1986, in Andhra Pradesh, India. He is highly regarded as one of the top chess players from India. Harikrishna began his professional career at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks of the world's best players. He has won numerous individual awards and holds multiple records, such as being the youngest grandmaster from India at the time of his achievement.

Harikrishna is known for his strategic thinking, tactical acumen, and ability to handle high-pressure situations. Off the board, Harikrishna is recognized for his sportsmanship and contribution to the promotion of chess in India and worldwide.

Early Career

• Harikrishna was born and raised in Andhra Pradesh, India. He learned chess at a young age under the guidance of his father and later trained with several renowned chess coaches. He became the youngest grandmaster from India in 2001.

Professional Career

• Harikrishna has competed in numerous national and international tournaments with significant success. His notable achievements include winning the World Junior Chess Championship in 2004 and several top finishes at the Chess Olympiads representing India.

Current Status

• As of now, Harikrishna continues to be an active player in the international chess circuit. He is also involved in various chess promotional activities and contributes to the development of the sport in India.

Indian National Team

• Harikrishna has been a key member of the Indian national team in various international competitions. His performances have been instrumental in India's success at the Chess Olympiads.

Achievements:

• World Junior Chess Championship: Winner in 2004.
• Asian Individual Chess Championship: Winner in 2011.
• Harikrishna has consistently been among the top-rated players in the world and has achieved a peak Elo rating of over 2750.

• Style: Harikrishna is known for his positional style of play and is particularly strong in the endgame. His ability to maintain calm under pressure and make accurate decisions is highly praised.

• Family: Harikrishna is married to Nadezda Stojanovic, a Serbian woman who is also a chess player.
• Activities: Besides chess, Harikrishna enjoys reading and is interested in other sports like cricket and badminton.

• Pentala Harikrishna is celebrated not only for his exceptional skills and numerous achievements but also for his contribution to the growth of chess in India. His success has inspired many young players in India and around the world to take up chess.

Youngest Grandmaster from India:

• Achieved the title at the age of 15 years and 3 months in 2001

World Junior Chess Championship:

• Winner in 2004

Asian Individual Chess Championship:

• Winner in 2011

Books

• Harikrishna, P. (2014) My Best Games of Chess. New Delhi: Sahni Publications.
• Sadler, M., Regan, N. (2016) Chess for Life. London: Gambit Publications.

Websites

• FIDE: Information about Pentala Harikrishna’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fide.com
• ChessBase: Updates on Harikrishna’s performances and records. Available at: https://www.chessbase.com
• Chess.com: Profile and games of Pentala Harikrishna. Available at: https://www.chess.com

Interviews and Documentaries

• CBS 60 Minutes: The Chess Country. This documentary includes coverage of Harikrishna and other Indian chess players. Available at: https://www.cbsnews.com
• Various interviews and features on Pentala Harikrishna, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.youtube.com