D Gukesh vs R Praggnanandhaa: A Thrilling Rematch at Norway Chess 2023

Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Over Gukesh in Norway Chess Showdown

NEW DELHI: In a thrilling rematch at the Norway Chess tournament, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa showcased his exceptional skills, defeating fellow Indian prodigy Dommaraju Gukesh in a gripping encounter that has set the stage for an exciting finish to the tournament.

After a series of impressive victories against chess giants Alireza Firouzja and Magnus Carlsen, the 20-year-old Praggnanandhaa entered the match with momentum. Gukesh, playing with the White pieces, opened aggressively in a Nimzo-Indian Sämisch setup, aiming to assert dominance early on. His bold moves, including 6.f3 and 7.e4, signaled his intent to seize control.

However, Praggnanandhaa responded with remarkable precision, targeting Gukesh’s pawn structure and creating counterplay on the queenside. A pivotal moment arrived when Praggnanandhaa’s knight made a daring journey to a1, capturing material and forcing Gukesh to expend valuable time on the attack.

Despite Gukesh generating a dangerous initiative with moves like 20.Nd6+ and 24.Nxc8, winning a rook, Praggnanandhaa’s defensive prowess shone through. As the queens entered the fray, Black’s pieces became increasingly coordinated, while Gukesh’s compensation for the exchange dwindled. By move 34, with his attack neutralized, Gukesh resigned, handing Praggnanandhaa a crucial victory.

This win not only avenged Praggnanandhaa’s earlier defeat to Gukesh in Round 5 but also narrowed the gap to tournament leader Wesley So to just half a point. With one round remaining, Praggnanandhaa is set to face Germany’s Vincent Keymer, who remains undefeated in classical play this tournament.

As Praggnanandhaa aims for a fourth consecutive classical win, the chess world will be watching closely, especially with the high-stakes matchup between So and Firouzja looming.

Elsewhere in the Tournament: A Tough Day for Indian Contingent

While Praggnanandhaa basked in victory, the rest of the Indian contingent faced challenges. Divya Deshmukh, who once led the women’s section, suffered a setback against China’s Zhu Jiner. Despite Bibisara Assaubayeva securing the women’s title early, Deshmukh’s defeat capped a difficult tournament for the Indian players, with Koneru Humpy also falling short in her Armageddon match against Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun.

In the open section, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen experienced another setback, losing in an Armageddon tiebreak to Wesley So, while Alireza Firouzja claimed victory over Keymer in a tense Armageddon showdown.

As the tournament approaches its climax, all eyes will be on the final round, where the clash between Carlsen and Gukesh, alongside the title-deciding matches, promises to deliver high drama and excitement.