R Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Over Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess Showdown; Divya Deshmukh Continues Winning Streak
R Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Over Magnus Carlsen in Norway Chess Showdown
NEW DELHI: The chess world was abuzz on Wednesday as 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa delivered a stunning performance against World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen during Round 3 of the 2024 Norway Chess tournament. This marked Praggnanandhaa’s second victory over the five-time world champion, following their historic clash in 2022.
The Deichman Bjørvika library in Oslo was the venue for this much-anticipated rematch, where both players entered the game under pressure. Praggnanandhaa, currently at the bottom of the standings with just one point, faced a Carlsen who had also struggled, having lost to Alireza Firouzja in the opening round.
However, what unfolded on the board was nothing short of extraordinary. Playing with the white pieces, Praggnanandhaa unleashed a fierce attack using the Najdorf variation, employing aggressive kingside strategies with early h4 and f4 thrusts. Carlsen, known for his tactical prowess, underestimated Praggnanandhaa’s piece coordination and a dangerous passed c-pawn, leading to a gradual unraveling of his position.
In a tense 62-move battle, Praggnanandhaa’s active rooks and tactical knight maneuvers overwhelmed Carlsen, whose exposed king and advancing g-pawn proved ineffective against the Indian’s precise endgame control. The moment Carlsen resigned was palpable; his frustration was evident as he looked up, gasping in disbelief.
With this monumental victory, Praggnanandhaa has surged to second place in the open section standings, amassing 4.5 points out of 9.
Divya Deshmukh’s Dream Debut Continues
The day was equally bright for Indian chess fans as 20-year-old Divya Deshmukh continued her impressive run in the Norway Chess Women tournament. Making her debut in the elite field, she remains undefeated after securing her third consecutive Armageddon victory.
Divya’s remarkable journey has seen her take down formidable opponents, including women’s world champion Ju Wenjun and India’s top female player, Koneru Humpy. On Wednesday, she faced reigning three-time women’s world blitz champion Bibisara Assaubayeva.
In a gripping encounter, Divya absorbed multiple attacks from Bibisara in both the classical game and the tiebreak. After a solid draw in the classical match, she entered the Armageddon decider with the psychological advantage of draw odds. Divya seized the initiative with a sharp central break, executing a flawless tactical sequence that led to a dominant endgame. Despite Bibisara’s stubborn defense, Divya’s active pieces ensured another crucial victory.
Gukesh and Humpy Face Setbacks
In other notable matches, D Gukesh faced off against tournament leader Alireza Firouzja. While Gukesh managed to hold Firouzja to a draw in the classical game, he faltered in the tiebreak, resulting in an Armageddon loss. Gukesh will now face Carlsen, who finds himself at the bottom of the table.
Meanwhile, veteran player Koneru Humpy suffered another heartbreaking Armageddon defeat, this time against defending champion Anna Muzychuk, leaving her anchored to the bottom of the standings with just 2 points.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches, especially the clash between Gukesh and Carlsen, promising more thrilling chess action in the days to come.