18-Year-Old Indian Chess Grand Master Stuns Fabiano Caruana, Set To Face Magnu Carlsen For World Title

By Correspondent On Aug 22, 2023

New Delhi: 18-year-old India’s chess grandmaster R Pragyananand stunned world no.3 American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana as he defeated him by 3.5-2.5 in tie-break in the semi-final of the FIDE World Cup final on Monday.

Pragyananand beats World no.3

In a nerve-wracking tie-break young Indian chess prodigy outplayed his highly rated American GM after the game ended 1-1.

Can India win Chess World Cup after 21-years

After 21 years Indian can now finally hope for the World Cup as 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa has a chance to create history, he can win the FIDE World Cup to India. India had won the Chess World Cup when R Praggnanandhaan was not even born.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandha registered his name in the history book on Monday, 21 August. He has reached the final of Chess World Cup 2023. In such a situation, this teenager has reached the threshold of getting another title for the country.

Vishwanathan Anand wins World Cup for India in 2000

India last won the Chess World Cup in 2002. During that time Vishwanathan Anand made the country the world champion. By that time Grandmaster Praggnanandha of India was not even born. Vishwanathan Anand was successful in winning the World Cup in 2000 as well. Since then no Indian has been able to reach even in the top 4. However, now India have a chance to win the title and it can be made possible by 2005-born Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa.

Will meet Magnus for title

Praggnanandhaa is the second Indian to reach the World Cup final. He will face Magnus Carlsen of Norway for the title.

Praggnandhaa’s history

In 2013, Praggnandhaa won the World Youth Chess Championship Under-8 title. At 18age 7, this victory earned him the title of FIDE Master, an open title that ranks below Grandmaster and International Master.

His winning streak continued in 2016 when he became the youngest International Master in history at the age of 10 years, 10 months and 19 days. Two years later, at the age of 12 years, 10 months and 13 days, Praggnanandhaa became the youngest Grandmaster since Russian chess star Sergei Karjakin. After this he won many tournaments. India’s most successful chess player Vishnanathan Anand has also praised him many times.