PRAGG FALLS IN FINAL HURDLE BUT WINS BILLION HEARTS

Baku: Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa could not pull off a repeat of his giant-killing acts of the last few days as fancied Magnus Carlsen beat him 1.5-0.5 in the tie-break to win the FIDE World Cup here on Thursday.

 Praggnanandhaa's dream run in the tournament ended at the hands of the world No. 1 after the classical games ended in a stalemate and required a tie-breaker to identify the winner.

For the five-time World Championship winner and Norwegian superstar Carlsen, who has been at the top of the sport for over a decade now, this was his first-ever World Cup title.

The second 25+10 tiebreak game ended in a draw in 22 moves as Carlsen played it safe after he had won the first one in Rapid, displaying his superior endgame skills.

After a keenly contested first game, the second game was a rather tame affair with Praggnanandhaa falling behind quickly and agreeing to a draw, which meant that Blitz was not required.

The two classical games on Tuesday and Wednesday had ended in draws, stretching the final into a tie-break.

Carlsen, who had been under the weather due to food poisoning and did not look at his best in the first classical game, showed why he is so tough to get past with his remarkable comeback in the tie-break.

He overcame a stiff challenge from his 18-year-old Indian opponent in the first tie-break game, winning it in 45 moves. Carlsen then saw off the problems he encountered due to Praggnanandhaa's enterprising play in the middle to turn the tables on the Indian and seize the advantage.

As fortunes swung from one side to other, the Indian surrendered the point after coming under time pressure in the first rapid game. Carlsen won game 1 in 45 moves and made full use of the advantage of playing with white pieces in the second game.

Praggnanandhaa, playing with white in the day's first game, made the first move -e4 - and got into a better position due to some careful maneuvering.

At one point of time, the players were left with their two rooks and minor pieces - two knights for Carlsen and a knight and a light coloured bishop for Praggnanandhaa.

The Indian was under time pressure and resigned after making a mistake, having realised that the game was gone. In the second game, Carlsen began with e4.

The first exchange happened when the sport's superstar took a pawn on the eighth move after Praggnanandhaa took a second pawn with the queen.

Faced with a must-win situation in the second game, the Indian teen came under time pressure early and chose to agree to a draw with white (Carlsen) holding the upper hand.

Earlier, the two classical games ended in draws that forced a tie-break to decide the World Cup champion. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand wrote on social media platform 'X' after the final, "Praggnanandhaa can come back with a candidates spot and a truly wonderful result."

He cong ratulated Carlsen and wrote: "In the end, it's Magnus! His persistence is rewarded with a victory in the only tournament that eluded him so far! Congratulations to the #FIDEWorldCup2023 winner Magnus Carlsen!"

This is no small feat: PM Modi

"This is no small feat", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said as he led the nation in hailing young Praggnanandhaa's runner-up finish at the FIDE Chess World Cup in Baku, on Thursday.

"We are proud of Praggnanandhaa for his remarkable performance at the FIDE World Cup! He showcased his exceptional skills and gave a tough fight to the formidable Magnus Carlsen in the finals," PM Modi wrote on 'X', formerly Twitter.

"This is no small feat. Wishing him the very best for his upcoming tournaments." President of India Droupadi Murmu also credited him for displaying the "highest level of excellence".

He handles himself mostly: Pragg's coach

Praggnanandhaa is on his own at the Azerbaijan capital of Baku as his personal coach RB Ramesh is away in another country.

"He (Praggnanandhaa) is handling himself mostly. I am just chatting on WhatsApp with him," Ramesh, himself a Grandmaster, told PTI.

"Praggnanandhaa is following a routine like sleeping nine hours at night, not skipping any meal, walking in the evening after the game and preparing four hours before the match (es)."

Despite the absence of a personal coach on tour, Praggnanandhaa has only got better with each match and overcome nerve-wracking tie-breaks, including the one against talented compatriot Arjun Erigaisi.

I think people will start to notice Indian chess: Praggnanandhaa

"I feel very good to be in the finals, today I didn't win, but it's normal in chess,&q