R Praggnanandhaa Defeats World No. 1 Carlsen In Norway Chess Tournament

R Praggnanandhaa has yet again made the country proud. At the prestigious Norway Chess Tournament, Indian prodigy Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa scripted his name in chess history by clinching his first-ever classical victory over the reigning world champion, Magnus Carlsen. After three rounds, the 18-year-old Indian, who has previously beaten Carlsen in the rapid/exhibition games, claimed the lead with 5.5 points.

The grandmaster previously became India's top-ranked chess player after defeating the current world champion, China's Ding Liren, in the 4th round of the Tata Steel Masters tournament. With this, he has surpassed Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand.

In 2023, R. Praggnanandhaa, after defeating the World No. 3 Grandmaster in the FIDE Chess World Cup tournament, became the second Indian to reach the finals of the Chess World Cup at the age of 18. R. Praggnanandhaa then faced World No. 1 chess player Magnus Carlsen in the final of the Chess World Cup. 

A Momentous Milestone for Indian Chess

Praggnanandhaa was playing with white pieces, and his victory moved home favourite Carlsen to fifth place in the points table. Classical chess, sometimes known as slow chess, gives players a longer time to make their moves, typically at least an hour.

Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa had drawn their previous three matches in this format. Praggnandhaa's sister, R. Vaishali, won the women's tournament with 5.5 points. She drew her match with Anna Muzychuk.

R Praggnanandhaa's Historic Win

While many young teenage minds from India are setting a remarkable benchmark in global chess, the OG child prodigy and chess player Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa who internationally goes by the name Pragg, reminded us all why he is the OG. 

The 18-year-old Indian chess prodigy Pragg nudged us with a reminder by previously defeating the reigning 31-year-old US Grandmaster Fabiana Caruana with a tiebreaker to enter the finals of the World Chess Championship in Baku, Arizona. 

Viswanathan Anand, impressed by the young Pragg and his victory, tweeted about Pragg's win, celebrating his victory. 

Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now.

What a performance!@FIDE_chess #FIDEWorldCup2023

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 21, 2023

Many politicians including Rahul Gandhi congratulated young Pragg for his astounding victory in the World Chess Tournament, making the country proud on a global platform. 

While many other chess enthusiasts celebrated Pragg's victory, one Twitter user wrote "This guy is already a legend! I hope he gets even 1% of the recognition that cricketers get."

18 years old Indian chess sensation Praggnanandhaa defeats 31 years old Fabiano Caruana (who's the third highest rated chess player ever) & qualifies to the finals.

This guy is already a legend! I wish he gets even 1% of the attention that cricketers get. pic.twitter.com/va15T49Nlw

— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 21, 2023

Pragg orchestrated one of the biggest victories in the FIDE tournament after a breathtaking defeat of American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in yet another tiebreaker making his mother emotional. 

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa entered the International chess tournaments at the age of 10 and was the youngest player to become the International Master at that age. Praggnanandhaa at the age of 12 became the chess grandmaster, the second youngest player to ever achieve the title.