18-year-old Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa has sent shockwaves through the chess world by defeating World Champion Magnus Carlsen in a classical game for the first time ever. This historic victory took place at the prestigious Norway Chess 2024 tournament, currently underway in Stavanger, Norway.
Praggnanandhaa seizes lead
Playing with the white pieces, R Praggnanandhaa capitalized on a risky opening strategy by Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian maestro, known for his aggressive style, opted against castling his king early, leaving him vulnerable throughout the game.
This gamble backfired spectacularly, as Praggnanandhaa exploited the weaknesses in Carlsen’s position, ultimately forcing the World Champion to resign.
This win not only marks a personal milestone for Praggnanandhaa, but also propels him to the top of the Norway Chess 2024 standings. Carlsen, meanwhile, finds himself relegated to fifth place after this unexpected defeat.
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Fabiano Caruana and Women’s Chess make strides
While Praggnanandhaa stole the show, Fabiano Caruana also secured a crucial classical win against Ding Liren, placing him in second position on Wednesday. In the Women’s Norway Chess section, all three matches were decided in armageddon tiebreakers, showcasing the fierce competition amongst the female players.
Turning Point for R Praggnanandhaa?
This victory against Carlsen is a significant moment in Praggnanandhaa’s young career. Having previously drawn with the World Champion three times and losing once, this win signifies a potential changing of the guard.
Chess fans will be eagerly awaiting their next encounter to see if Praggnanandhaa can maintain his dominance.
The Norway Chess tournament continues with round four starting on Thursday, May 30th. With the standings shaken up, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa to see if he can defend his lead and potentially challenge win the Norway Chess 2024.
Round four starts on Thursday, May 30, at 11 a.m. ET / 17:00 CEST / 8:30 p.m. IST.
