PRAGG’S GAMBIT: IMC’S CHESS ADVENTURE CONTINUES IN INDIA

Chess players and IMCers share similar DNA: we're built for complex problem-solving, pattern recognition, and strategic thinking under pressure. These clear synergies are why IMC is partnering with leading chess players and teams to support the game around the world.

This April, our chess adventure took us to India for a one-off exhibition featuring 20-year-old Grandmaster Rameshbabu "Pragg" Praggnanandhaa, one of the world’s top chess prodigies. More than 1,000 IIT Delhi students watched Pragg challenge the institute's strongest players in two special high-intensity events. Here's how the day played out…

PRAGG FACES THE DREAM TEAM

First up, Pragg took on seven members of the IIT Delhi chess team in intensive one-on-one matches. The format gave the students a deliberate advantage on the clock: five minutes each to make their move, versus just 60 seconds for Pragg.

Pragg won all seven games, though the students gave him a real fight. Several hold FIDE ratings close to 2000, a mark that places them among the strongest amateur players in the world. Shoan Raj, captain of the IIT Delhi chess team and IMC's technology intern stream, briefly held a +3 advantage, before talking himself out of the position.

Sumit Biswal, the team's incoming captain, burned more than two minutes of his five-minute clock on his third move, convinced Pragg's “Scotch Gambit” opening was a trap. Soham Palkar, a fourth-year Math and Computing student, opened with a line that Pragg later admitted he’d not seen before. Pragg's own verdict on the seven games: a “challenge.”

A SIMULTANEOUS MATCH TO REMEMBER

That evening, Pragg faced another stern test, going head-to-head with 12 students in a simultaneous match in the IIT Delhi’s famous Dogra Hall. The games were broadcast on a big screen to keep the audience engaged, and they were also hosted on Lichess for students who couldn't make it to the venue.

The players had been selected through a two-stage qualifier; each had 45 minutes on their clock, while Pragg had 45 minutes in total across all 12 boards. For an extra edge, Pragg's opponents were each allowed one moment to view the game progression bar and see where they stood at that point.

Pragg powered through to win all 12 matches. The final game came down to Aniket Vishwakarma, who at one stage held a +2.5 advantage on move ten. With only his board left, Pragg's clock was reduced from 15 minutes to one, and the Grandmaster finished the game with his back turned to the board, playing blind.

Later, Pragg picked his three toughest opponents from the contest and presented each with a signed chessboard.

IMPACT BEYOND THE BOARD

Both events were hosted on the ground by Sagar Shah of ChessBase India: the country’s leading chess portal and one of the biggest media houses for the game globally. The platform's video of Pragg's handicap match has since hit 500k views on YouTube.

Away from the board, the day brought IMC into close contact with our incoming intern cohort from IIT Delhi, who had an exclusive meet-and-greet and photo session with Pragg. The IIT Delhi student council presented Pragg with the institute's official sports jersey, prompting a grin and the line: “Maybe next time, I'll play for IIT Delhi!”

BIG MOVES AHEAD

India was just the opening move. This spring, we're excited to announce the launch of the IMC Chess Academy: a first-of-its-kind program delivered through our collaboration with top esports organization, Team Liquid Chess, which is anchored by chess legends Magnus "The GOAT" Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana.

The Academy brings together the planet’s brightest student chess players. First up is our US Chess Academy: this July, students from US and Canadian colleges and universities will be flown to our Chicago office to compete for the title of IMC US Chess Academy Champion, and the chance to play Magnus Carlsen face to face.

The next stop will be Sydney this December, where Magnus will attend NeurIPS, a leading conference on ML and AI. The event will mark the launch of the IMC Chess Academy in APAC, opening up the program to students across this key chess-playing region.

And this is just the start: we plan to expand the Academy format to other locations in years to come. Stay tuned as IMC continues its global chess adventure, one move at a time!