R Praggnanandhaa Makes History with Win Over Carlsen

R Praggnanandhaa Makes History with Win Over Magnus Carlsen

On May 29, chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa achieved a milestone that will be remembered for years to come. Not only did he celebrate the birthday of his friend and fellow prodigy D Gukesh, but he also secured his International Master title on this date in 2016. However, the highlight of the day came in 2024 when Pragg secured his first-ever classical win over none other than world champion Magnus Carlsen.

The historic moment occurred during round 3 of the Norway Chess tournament, where Pragg defeated Carlsen with white pieces in a thrilling 37-move encounter. Carlsen, known for his strategic prowess, found himself outplayed by the young Indian GM who capitalized on a risky Sicilian opening by the world champion.

Reflecting on the match, Hikaru Nakamura, a 5-time US champion, noted that Carlsen tends to take more risks when facing younger opponents. This insight sheds light on the competitive nature of the world champion and the determination of rising stars like Praggnanandhaa.

Despite his loss to Pragg, Carlsen had previously won two Armageddon tiebreakers in the tournament. However, his defeat to Pragg saw him drop to fifth place in the standings, while Fabiano Caruana climbed to second place after a decisive victory over Ding Liren.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa as he continues to make waves in the chess world. With his historic win over Carlsen, the young GM has solidified his place among the elite players in the game.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Norway Chess tournament as the competition heats up and new champions emerge.