In a historic showdown at the Norway Chess tournament, India's chess prodigy, R Praggnanandhaa, secured a stunning triumph over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen for the first time ever in a classical game.?This win fills every Indian heart with pride as Praggnanandhaa's confidence and skill shine brightly on the global stage.
Magnus Carlsen decided to start with a daring move, unleashing what he called a 'risky' opening against Praggnanandhaa, opting not to castle in an attempt to catch the young Chennai native off guard.?
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However, the tables turned swiftly as Praggnanandhaa, despite the initial surprise, steadily applied pressure on the five-time world champion.
Reflecting on the intensity of the game, Hikaru Nakamura, an American chess grandmaster, shared his insights from the confessional booth. He said, "Magnus has decided to play something very double-edged. I guess you can say, he¡¯s going all in today. He¡¯s either going to win or lose today. Hard to see this end in a draw."
Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa, in an interview with The Indian Express, remained unfazed by Carlsen's aggressive approach, expressing his readiness to engage in the battle.
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"His opening was provocative. I said he wants to fight, because otherwise he could play something solid. I didn't mind at all. We'll fight and we'll see how it goes," he says.
He indeed fought hard and came out on top.
Despite his monumental victory, the 18-year-old remains grounded, downplaying the significance of his achievement.?
When asked if this ranks among his best wins, Praggnanandhaa humbly replied, "I don't know, I will have to check. I didn't think I played really well. I did find some best moves. It's not my best game for sure."
The aftermath of the match sparked a buzz on social media, with Norway Chess sharing highlights of the showdown - one that will make all Indians proud of the teen prodigy.
The comments pointed out the serene demeanor of Praggnanandhaa as he savored the moment of victory. One said, "It's feels great to see prag so calm and taking the winning sip of the water!!"
Indeed, witnessing Praggnanandhaa's calm demeanor reminds us that greatness is not just about winning but also about staying composed in the face of challenges.
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