The second matchup between world number one Magnus Carlsen and 18-year-old Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa at the Norway Chess tournament resulted in a draw in standard play. However, Carlsen went on to win the ensuing tiebreak in Armageddon format, securing an extra half point.
Despite some better chances in the initial game, Carlsen was unable to breakthrough Praggnanandhaa’s solid defense. The five-time world champion noted afterwards that the young Indian “defended well” and he failed to get “even a sniff of something” in his attacking play.
In their Armageddon tiebreaker, where Carlsen played with the white pieces and needed only a draw for the additional point, a rather mediocre game ensued according to the Norwegian. Still, he managed to sustain pressure and grind out the victory.
With two rounds left, 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa has important tests against Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura coming up. Meanwhile, Carlsen will go into the second rest day clinging to a narrow lead at the top thanks to his Armageddon success.
In other Norway Chess action, Alireza Firouzja defended superbly with seconds left on his clock to hold Nakamura to a draw. Over in the women’s event, reigning world champion Ju Wenjun extended her points lead after defeating Sweden’s Pia Cramling. Indian WGM R Vaishali also features in the mix despite two recent losses.
