Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen: Armageddon Clash Ends in Draw, Carlsen Claims Half Point Victory

The highly anticipated second clash between young chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa and world champion Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess tournament ended in a draw on Tuesday. Carlsen went on to win the Armageddon clash, claiming the additional half point and extending his lead in the tournament.

Despite a valiant effort from Praggnanandhaa, Carlsen managed to maintain his dominance in the game. The five-time world champion now holds a full point lead over Hikaru Nakamura, who faced a tough battle against Alireza Firouzja before ultimately resigning in their Armageddon match.

Firouzja’s impressive display of top moves, especially under time pressure, allowed him to secure a draw in the classical game against Nakamura. Carlsen, on the other hand, expressed his satisfaction with his performance, acknowledging the importance of the half point he earned in the Armageddon clash.

Nakamura, who struggled in his game against Firouzja, praised Carlsen for his tenacity and ability to perform under pressure. Praggnanandhaa, with 12 points after eight rounds, is set to face tough opponents in the upcoming matches.

In the women’s Norway Chess tournament, world champion Ju Wenjun leads the standings after defeating veteran player Pia Cramling. Indian player Vaishali, despite facing setbacks in previous rounds, remains in contention for the top spot with two games left to play.

Overall, the Norway Chess tournament continues to showcase thrilling matches and impressive performances from top players in the world of chess. Carlsen’s lead and Praggnanandhaa’s resilience are just a few highlights of the ongoing competition.