Harikrishna first learned chess from his father when he was four years old and quickly showed a natural aptitude for the game. He was awarded the International Master title at the age of 15 in 2001, the same year he became Asian champion. Later, in 2004, Harikrishna became the youngest ever grandmaster from India, a record he held until 2008.
Some of his notable wins include the Corus Chess Tournament (Group B) in 2006, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament (Group B) in 2012, the Biel Chess Festival in 2013, and the Edmonton International in 2015. He also won the 2016 Chinese League with his team, the Shenzhen Longgang chess club.
Harikrishna has also represented India many times at the Chess Olympiad, the first time being in 2000 at the age of 14. He has since represented India in nine more Olympiads, helping India win its first ever team medal, a bronze, in 2014.
Harikrishna lives in Prague, Czech Republic, and Hyderabad, India. He has won the "Indian Player of the Year" award twice, in 2003 and 2004.