Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa Beats Chess World Champion Magnus Carlsen


After 16-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa scored a stunning win in an elite speed chess tournament from his computer in India on Monday, there were no competing opponents to shake or snap the cameras to capture the moment.

The man he had just beaten, world champion Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, was staring at the wounds of his shocking loss somewhere offline.

It was almost 3 am in Chennai, where Praggnanandhaa lives.

He texted his coach and woke up his father to tell them about the victory. Praggnanandhaa, also known as Pragg, became the youngest person to beat Carlsen, 31, since becoming world champion in 2013. The International Chess Federation world title nonetheless stunned the chess world and delighted people in India.

On Wednesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the “young genius” on his win from twitter. “I wish the talented Praggnanandhaa the best for his future endeavors,” Mr Modi said.

Sachin Tendulkar, a retired Indian cricket star He also congratulated Praggnanandhaa, who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of sports. from twitter and described his win as “magical”.

“You have made India proud!” said Tendulkar.

Praggnanandhaa organized his defeat against Carlsen in 39 moves. This was even more remarkable because he was playing with black pieces, placing second with disadvantages, especially in elite chess.

“He felt like Magnus was in control of the game from start to finish, just like he did to humans,” said Levy Rozman, an international veteran who summarizes tournaments and discusses strategy on his YouTube channel. Gotham ChessWith over 1.4 million subscribers.

Carlsen, who is also the best player as a teenageropened with the Queen’s Gambit and moved the queen’s pawn to d4. Praggnanandhaa refused to gamble. (Replay the game on Chess24.)

In the early and middle stages of the game, Carlsen played a flawless game, successfully gaining a pawn and then another, putting him in an advantageous position, but Praggnanandhaa compensated by active and fusing pieces he still had on the board, Rozman said. King of Carlsen.

“He used what was left of the board to launch a devastating counterattack,” Rozman said.

On move 32, the game turned decisively when Carlsen made a move with his knight, which was later deemed a mistake. The decision prompted British grandmaster and chess streaming platform commentator David Howell. chess24“Is that wise or is it insane?” to ask.

The answer soon became clear. Praggnanandhaa quickened her pace, and Carlsen was visibly frustrated. Seven moves and about 10 minutes later it was over.

After Praggnanandhaa’s win, Chess24 commentator Kaja Snare said: she asked How would he celebrate it?

“I guess it’s just about going to bed because I don’t think I’m going to have dinner at 2:30 in the morning,” Praggnanandhaa said.

It had already been an extraordinary night for Praggnanandhaa. Defeated Levon Aronian as well. fourth highest The rated player in history at the start of the competition day.

Praggnanandhaa said that he prepared by staying up late in the days approaching the tough tournament schedule. “I’m still tired, but that’s okay,” he told Chess24.

However, its early success did not sustain the competition. Praggnanandhaa failed to qualify for the quarterfinals of the Airthings Masters, which began on Wednesday, reducing the pool from 16 to eight players.

Carlsen remains in the competition, which he says is more challenging due to persistent symptoms from a recent Covid-19 infection.

“It got a little better today,” Carlsen told Chess24. on Monday“But for the first few days I felt fine, but I had no energy, which made it difficult for me to focus because every time I tried to think, I made mistakes.”

It wasn’t the first time Carlsen played Praggnanandhaa, who became the youngest international master at age 10 and grandmaster at age 12.

Carlsen defeated Praggnanandhaa in January, a month after Praggnanandhaa was invited by the international federation. make the ceremony the first move In a world championship match between Carlsen and Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi. Carlsen won his fifth consecutive world title at that tournament.

After Praggnanandhaa beat Carlsen this week, he said: india times He said he received messages of congratulations from around the world and helped him realize the importance of what he had accomplished.

“I adored Magnus when I was a kid just starting out,” Praggnanandhaa said. “I can always come back to this game and will seek confidence whenever I need it in the future.”





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