18-year-old Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa made India proud as he surprised everyone by reaching the final of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2023. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest Indian to have played in a Chess World Cup final, where he lost to World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in a tie-breaker. Despite the loss, the youngster has not lost hope, as he has said that Carlsen is ‘not unbeatable’ and is certainly not, as Prag himself has beaten the World No. 1 five times.
Praggnanandhaa returned to a grand welcome in Chennai after his stellar performance and even met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, where PM Modi heaped praise on the talented teenager. After his dream run in Baku, Pragganandha qualified for the Candidates Tournament in 2024, where the winner will face China's Ding Liren in the World Championship.
After Bobby Fischer and Carlsen, the Indian teenager is the third-youngest player to qualify for the Candidates tournament. Three players have already qualified for the Candidates Tournament: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Fabiano Caruana, and Praggnanandhaa. Five more spots are still open and will be filled by the end of the year.
"It's not like he (Carlsen) is invincible. He's definitely strong. But, he does lose games. It's just I think he's consistent in winning. Doesn't lose many, that's why. He's just strong, mentally and physically. Basically strong in everything," Praggnanandhaa said of Carlsen in an exclusive interview with PTI.
All of Pragganandha’s wins against Carlsen have come in online matches and the prodigy hasn’t yet beaten him in an on-board match. Praggnanandhaa also said he's not going to put any added pressure on him and he wants to take the Candidates as any other tournament.
"I don't think it is going to be added pressure. I just want to take it as another tournament. If you think it's very important, then you start putting added pressure. I just want to play like how I play in the last three tournaments," he said.
In the interview, the chess prodigy also mentioned that he plays Badminton in his hometown, Chennai, to free up his head and that the World Cup was just a step in his chess journey. Prag also said that the World Cup run has certainly helped his popularity, as he is now more recognized by the people.
Praggnanandhaa had to travel to Delhi for a Sports Ministry honours ceremony just a day after arriving in his hometown of Chennai to a thunderous welcome. The day after, he's in Kolkata to attend an Asian Games men's camp before the Indian team heads to Hangzhou this month.
