Praggnanandhaa Shocks Carlsen in Epic Clash at Norway Chess Round 8
Praggnanandhaa Stuns Carlsen in Classical Thriller at Norway Chess Round 8
OSLO: In a stunning display of skill and composure, 20-year-old Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa delivered a shocking blow to world champion Magnus Carlsen in Round 8 of the Norway Chess tournament held at the Oslo Public Library on Tuesday. This marks Praggnanandhaa’s second victory over the chess titan in the tournament, a feat that seemed almost unimaginable given Carlsen’s formidable reputation.
Carlsen, 35, faced his fourth defeat in this tournament, reminiscent of his struggles in 2015. Despite this setback, he still holds mathematical chances to clinch the title. In a candid moment during the post-match broadcast, Carlsen humorously lamented his performance, describing himself as “talentless” for overlooking a critical move that allowed Praggnanandhaa’s bishop to join the attack against his king.
Currently, Carlsen finds himself in fifth place in a six-player field, a position that has raised eyebrows among chess enthusiasts. However, Praggnanandhaa was quick to defend the reigning champion, stating, “The quality of his games is still very high. He is just making decisive mistakes under time pressure.”
The young Indian, who previously lost to Carlsen in the 2023 World Cup final via rapid tiebreaks, expressed his excitement about facing the world champion, emphasizing that he feels “not intimidated” when playing against him. “A bunch of youngsters are already among the top players in the world,” he noted, suggesting that it’s only a matter of time before they consistently challenge Carlsen’s dominance. “He is still the best. But winning three out of four against him in Norway is too much,” Praggnanandhaa added.
Earlier in the day, Carlsen showcased a lighter side, humorously visiting a confession box before the match. However, his game strategy seemed to falter as he took over 64 minutes for his first 13 moves, while Praggnanandhaa completed his opening phase in under 10 minutes.
In other tournament news, American grandmaster Wesley So triumphed over Vincent Keymer in an intense Armageddon match, leading the standings with 14 points as the tournament approaches its conclusion. With only two rounds remaining, the competition remains fierce, with all players, except Gukesh, still in contention for the title.
As the chess world watches closely, Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable performance serves as a reminder that the future of chess is bright, with a new generation of players ready to challenge the established norms.