The young grandmaster
R Praggnanandhaa, a 16-year-old from Chennai has become the third Indian to beat world champion Magnus Carlsen after Viswanathan Anand and P. Harikrishna. The teenager achieved this milestone in the eighth round of the Airtings Masters, an online rapid chess competition.
Praggnanandhaa, who played aggressively from the start, missed an opportunity to beat Carlson in the middle of the game. But when he came back, he put constant pressure on Carlson and finally brought the world champion to his knees. Carlson sat with his hands on his face in panic as he realized he was about to lose in the eighth round of the Airtings Masters’ Online Rapid Chess Competition. A wave of shock spread across Praggnanandhaa’s face. At his home in Padi, a suburb of Chennai, he covered his mouth with his hands, his eyes wide open, unable to comprehend what was unfolding on the other side of the screen in Oslo at 2 am. Praggnanandhaa made history using 39 tricks with the black pieces.
It was an incredible moment. World No. 1 Carlsen, the undisputed emperor of chess, has always been his idol. After becoming the second youngest Grandmaster in the world four years ago, Praggnanandhaa once responded that his biggest dream was to beat Carlson. Perhaps more importantly, with this victory, India has found Anand’s successor and a leading fighter for chess in the country.
Solid preparations
Carlson was not only the first elite player Praggnanandhaa defeated in the tournament; hours before that, he defeated Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian, and, days ago, Wesley Soe and Michael Krasenko.
Praggnanandhaa revealed that he had to change his routine to prepare for the tournament. It was very difficult as the game started at 3 am. “I changed my routine to the schedule of the tournament and prepared for it every day. I think it really worked. I am very happy to be supported so much and it motivates me to work harder and play better, ” said the Indian Grandmaster. The 16-year-old Grandmaster has a long way to go.
Viswanathan Anand was not a Grandmaster at this age. R. Praggnanandhaa wants to play more and become a world champion. No matter who he defeats in the future, Praggnanandhaa will surely never forget this moment.
