FIDE World Cup: R Praggnanandhaa beats Fabiano Caruana in tiebreaks, to meet Magnus Carlsen in final

Indian teenage sensation, Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, on Monday achieved a remarkable victory over world No.3 Fabiano Caruana of the USA in the FIDE World Cup semifinals in Baku, Azerbaijan. After a nerve-racking tie-break that ended in 3.5-2.5, Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious, securing his place in the final and the Candidates 2024 tournament set to take place in Canada.

Praggnanandhaa displayed exceptional skill in beating Caruana following a 1-1 tie in their two-game classical series. The tie-break victory against the American Grandmaster showcased the teenager's quick-thinking prowess and strategic acumen. This hard-earned victory has set up a captivating final against world No.1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway.

The triumph holds significant historical importance for India, as Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian in 21 years to reach the final of the Chess World Cup. The last to do this



was Viswanathan Anand who bagged the World Cup title twice, in 2000 and 2002, though it was in a different format.

The achievement did not go unnoticed by Anand, who took to 'X' (previously known as Twitter), to heap praise on the young talent. "Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now. What a performance!," Anand posted, expressing the excitement and pride felt by many in the country.

As Praggnanandhaa prepares to battle it out against Carlsen in the final, he surely carries with him the immense hopes and wishes of a nation that has a rich history in the game of chess.

Undoubtedly, this exciting match will be closely watched and cheered by chess enthusiasts not just in India but around the world. Regardless of the outcome, Praggnanandhaa's accomplishment translates into a momentous stride for Indian chess.