In a thrilling showdown at the FIDE World Cup final, India’s young chess prodigy, R. Praggnanandhaa, had the chess world on the edge of their seats as he faced off against none other than World No. 1, Norway’s Magnus Carlsen. In a historic second classical match, all eyes were on Pragg as he aimed to secure a historic victory with the black pieces.
However, the game ended in an unexpected twist, almost like an anti-climax, with both players agreeing to a quick draw in just over an hour of intense chess battle. Each competitor made 30 moves, showcasing their exceptional skills and strategic prowess. Despite the anticipation surrounding the match, the equilibrium reached resulted in a draw, leaving spectators eager for more.
This nail-biting contest had echoes of the previous encounter between these two giants of the chess world. In Game 1 on Tuesday, the battle also culminated in a draw after 35 moves, with Carlsen, this time with the black pieces, making a valiant attempt to chase a victory. Pragg, wielding the white pieces, initially held an advantage in terms of time, but as the game unfolded, he too found himself in a time crunch towards the end.
Nonetheless, Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the final has already etched his name in the annals of chess history. By reaching this pinnacle, he has joined the elite ranks as the third youngest player ever, following in the footsteps of the legendary Bobby Fischer and the reigning World No. 1 himself, Magnus Carlsen. His remarkable feat promises an exciting future for Indian chess and adds an extra layer of anticipation to the impending tie-breaker showdown.
Now, as the chess world eagerly awaits Thursday’s tie-breaker, Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen are set to engage in a thrilling battle to determine who will emerge as the ultimate victor.
Stay tuned.
