The Indian chess circuit is abuzz with excitement, as Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's remarkable journey in the FIDE Chess World Cup mirrors the legendary achievements of iconic players from yesteryears. So much so, that the prodigy's exceptional performance evoked memories for the legendary Garry Kasparov, often hailed as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
After Praggnanandhaa's awe-inspiring victory over world No.3, Fabiano Caruana in the FIDE Chess World Cup, Garry Kasparov couldn't hold back his admiration. Praggnanandhaa will square off against Norwegian stalwart and five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen in the summit clash. Fabiano took to the social media platform, Twitter (previously known as X), to celebrate the young genius and the unwavering support he receives from his mother. Drawing parallels with his own journey and the encouragement he received from his mother, Kasparov shared, "Congrats to @rpragchess — and to his mother. As someone whose proud mama accompanied me to every event, it's a special kind of support! The Chennai Indian defeated two New York cowboys! He has been very tenacious in difficult positions."
The Monday clash between Praggnanandhaa and Caruana was one for the history books. The thrilling match concluded with Praggnanandhaa edging out Caruana 3.5-2.5 in a tie-break during the semifinals. This remarkable victory has paved the way for the Indian maestro to face off against the current world number one and a five-time world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, in the much-anticipated final of FIDE's flagship event.
Praggnanandhaa's triumph over Caruana didn't come easy. After a drawn two-game classical series with a score of 1-1, the young talent showcased resilience, strategy, and sharpness to outmaneuver the seasoned American GM in a pulsating tie-breaker.
Highlighting his monumental rise, Praggnanandhaa has now etched his name in the annals of Indian chess history. He stands as the first Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand, also a five-time world champion, to reach the final of the FIDE World Cup since 2002. As anticipation builds for the final clash, fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting what promises to be a gripping contest.
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