Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa achieved a remarkable victory recently, defeating compatriot Arjun Erigaisi 5-4 in a tie-breaker to secure a spot in the semifinals of the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan.
During this historic moment, Nagalakshmi, his mother, was overcome with emotion as her son became the second Indian, following Viswanathan Anand, to progress to the semifinals of this esteemed tournament. Tears of joy streamed down her face, capturing the significance of the occasion.
Emotional Moment For A Proud Mother
Photographers captured these touching scenes, which swiftly gained popularity among chess enthusiasts. A widely circulated image on social media depicts Nagalakshmi standing beside her son, wearing a smile, while he engages in an interview.
Furthermore, an additional photograph captured Nagalakshmi seated alone, delicately wiping away tears of elation. These captivating images garnered the attention of numerous social media users who enthusiastically shared them, embellishing them with their individual quotes and comments.
When discussing Nagalakshmi's presence at his live games, Praggnanandhaa mentioned to ChessBase India that having someone there is undeniably beneficial. He expressed that his mother's unwavering support is constant, even during moments of defeat, as she endeavours to console him. The presence of someone cheering for him is a positive influence, and his mother plays a significant role as a pillar of support not only for him but also for his sister.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old prodigy Praggnanandhaa's victory has secured his participation in next year's Candidates event. In the upcoming semi-final, he will face off against American standout Fabiano Caruana.
The top three contenders in the tournament will earn qualification for the 2024 Candidates event, determining the contender to challenge Ding Liren. Given that the world's top-ranked player, Magnus Carlsen, is unlikely to participate in the Candidates, R Praggnanandhaa could potentially compete in the tournament to decide the challenger for the reigning world champion, Ding Liren.
The Chennai native is poised to become the second Indian, following five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, to partake in the Candidates. Praggnanandhaa advanced with a bye in the first round, subsequently outperforming Maxime Lagarde in the second round and David Navara in the third.
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