Indian Chess Prodigy Shines at Norway Chess 2024
Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa of India has made headlines yet again at the Norway Chess 2024 tournament. In a thrilling display of skill, the young chess genius defeated world number two, Fabiano Caruana, marking his first victory against Caruana in classical chess. This impressive win follows his earlier triumph over world number one and five-time world champion, Magnus Carlsen, in round three.
Key Highlights:
- Praggnanandhaa's Stellar Performance:
- Defeated world number one Magnus Carlsen in round three.
- Triumphed over world number two Fabiano Caruana in round five.
- Climbed into the top-10 of the FIDE rankings.
- Currently holds the third position with 8.5 points, trailing behind Carlsen (9 points) and Hikaru Nakamura (10 points).
- Tournament Standings:
- Magnus Carlsen capitalized on a last-minute error by Alireza Firouzja to secure his win.
- Hikaru Nakamura overcame reigning world champion Ding Liren to lead the standings.
- Vaishali's Victory:
- R. Praggnanandhaa's sister, Vaishali, won in an Armageddon match against China's Lei Tingjie.
- She tops the women’s section with 10 points, ahead of Anna Muzychuk (9 points) and Ju Wenjun (7.5 points).
- Vaishali is now just five points shy of breaking into the top-10 of the FIDE women's rankings.
PRAGG IS BACK 🔥🔥
— Norway Chess (@NorwayChess) June 1, 2024
Young prodigy Praggnanandhaa stuns the chess world again by defeating World No.2 Fabiano Caruana in Round 5! 🏆 After toppling World No.1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 3, he’s now beaten the top two players in classical chess for the first time ever, rocketing into… pic.twitter.com/VJXvndT9n1
Anand Mahindra Praises Praggnanandhaa’s Achievement
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, celebrated Praggnanandhaa’s win by sharing a video on social media, highlighting the young prodigy's confident walk post-victory. Mahindra's post, which referenced Praggnanandhaa's win over Caruana, garnered significant attention and praise.
Reactions and Highlights:
- Social Media Buzz:
- Video of Praggnanandhaa’s confident walk, posted by Norway Chess on X (formerly Twitter), received over 380K views.
- Anand Mahindra’s tweet, “Pragg. Now, it was the world #2 in the bagg…,” emphasized the significance of Praggnanandhaa's achievement.
- Fan Reactions:
- Fans expressed their admiration and excitement for Praggnanandhaa’s future prospects.
- Comments like “Pragg is on fire! Next stop: World #1?” reflected the high hopes and expectations for the young grandmaster.
Overview
R. Praggnanandhaa's remarkable performance at Norway Chess 2024 has not only brought him closer to the top of the FIDE rankings but also captivated the chess world. His victories over the top two players in classical chess signify his potential to reach even greater heights. The support and praise from notable figures like Anand Mahindra further underscore the impact of his achievements. As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa to see what he accomplishes next.