Pranav V
GM
Player Details
Pranav V is an Indian grandmaster from Bengaluru and one of the fastest-rising players of his generation. He became a grandmaster in 2022, won the Chennai Grand Masters Challengers in 2024, added World Youth U18 rapid and blitz gold medals later that year, and then captured the 2025 World Junior Championship. His rise continued in 2025 and early 2026 with major open-event results, including clear first at the Salamanca Masters and victory at KazChess Masters Nauryz 2026. By April 2026, he was firmly inside the FIDE top 100, reflecting a jump driven by serious classical results rather than only junior success. In the current chess landscape, Pranav profiles as a player with strong opening control, practical maturity, and clear long-term upside.
Playing Style
Pranav’s style is controlled, practical, and increasingly mature. He does not rely on chaos to create chances, and his best recent tournaments show a player who is comfortable accumulating pressure across long events. At the same time, his wins over Nihal and Ponomariov show that he is fully capable of taking concrete opportunities when the position sharpens. That balance between structure and tactical awareness is a major reason his climb has looked sustainable.
Best Games
- 2025vs Matic LavrencicWorld Junior ChampionshipPranav drew in the final round to clinch the title unbeaten on 9/11. In career terms, this was the result that moved him from elite prospect to world junior champion.
- 2025vs Nihal SarinFujairah Global Chess ChampionshipBeating the top seed in round one was one of the headline upsets of the tournament and a strong statement win against one of India’s most established young elite players.
- 2025vs Ruslan PonomariovSalamanca MastersPranav beat the former FIDE World Champion in round eight and effectively broke the event open. It became the centerpiece of his dominant 9½/10 title run.
Opening Repertoire
Pranav’s repertoire already looks broad and professional. His White practice frequently returns to Réti and flexible king’s-pawn systems, while his Black repertoire includes classical ...e5 structures and Indian-defence setups.
- Réti Opening1.Nf3
- Four Knights Game1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Nc3
- Rossolimo Sicilian1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5
- Two Knights Defence1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6
- Bogo-Indian Defence1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Bb4+
Career Highlights
- Grandmaster title2022.
- Chennai Grand Masters Challengers winner2024.
- World Youth U18 Rapid champion2024.
- World Youth U18 Blitz champion2024.
- World Junior Champion2025.
- Salamanca Masters winner2025.
- KazChess Masters Nauryz winner2026.
- Peak FIDE classical rating2657.
Career Highlights
- Grandmaster title2022.
- Chennai Grand Masters Challengers winner2024.
- World Youth U18 Rapid champion2024.
- World Youth U18 Blitz champion2024.
- World Junior Champion2025.
- Salamanca Masters winner2025.
- KazChess Masters Nauryz winner2026.
- Peak FIDE classical rating2657.