New Delhi: India’s R. Praggnanandhaa has become the country’s youngest and the world’s second youngest Grand Master at the age of 12 years, 10 months and 13 days after reaching the final round of the ongoing Grendine Open in Italy.

The Chennai-based player was paired with Grand Master Prujjsers Roland in the final round, which ensured that he would achieve the feat. After beating GM Moroni Lica Jr in the eighth round, he needed to play an opponent above rating of 2482 in the next round to make his third GM norm.

Ukraine’s Serget Karjakin remains the youngest ever GM, having achieved the feat at the age of 12 years and seven months in 2002.

In 2016, Praggnanandhaa became the youngest International Master at the age of 10 years, 10 months and 19 days. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, the country’s first GM, congratulated Praggnanandhaa on his achievement.