In a stunning turn of events, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured his place in the final of the FIDE World Cup chess tournament by defeating world No.3 Fabiano Caruana in a nerve-wracking tie-breaker. The 18-year-old Indian prodigy showcased his exceptional skills to outlast the highly-rated American GM, winning the tie-break 3.5-2.5 after the two-game classical series ended in a 1-1 draw.
This victory places Praggnanandhaa in the final where he will face Norway’s chess sensation Magnus Carlsen, a highly anticipated matchup that has garnered considerable attention from the chess community.
Viswanathan Anand, a chess legend and former world champion, shared his excitement on social media, stating, “Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now. What a performance!”
Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the final has been nothing short of remarkable. In the quarterfinals, he secured a place in the semifinals by defeating fellow Indian chess player Arjun Erigaisi in a sudden death tie-break. This victory not only earned him a spot in the semifinals but also ensured his participation in the next year’s Candidates event.
Praggnanandhaa is now set to become one of the few Indians, alongside the legendary Viswanathan Anand, to compete in the prestigious Candidates event. His impressive run in the FIDE World Cup has included eliminating American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in the tiebreakers, marking one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.
As the chess world eagerly anticipates the final showdown between Praggnanandhaa and Magnus Carlsen, the young Indian Grandmaster’s remarkable journey and exceptional skill are shining a spotlight on the thriving chess scene in India.
