Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old Grandmaster from Chennai, pulled off a stunning upset victory over five-time World Champion Magnus Carlsen in the third round of the prestigious Norway Chess tournament on Wednesday. In defeating Carlsen for the first time ever in a classical game, Praggnanandhaa showed nerves of steel as he navigated a dynamic opening from the World No.1 before grinding out the win.
The match began with an early surprise as Carlsen unveiled an unusually aggressive opening setup with Black, opting against castling in search of an unbalanced position. While initially thrown off by Carlsen's risky approach, Praggnanandhaa steadied himself and launched a counterattack that piled pressure on the defending champion. Despite finding himself low on time for much of the battle, Praggnanandhaa's calculation and precision shone through. He navigated several critical moments, even sacrificing material at one juncture, but continued playing at a high level to outwit his more storied opponent.
After multiple plot twists and calculations running deep into the endgame, Praggnanandhaa was able to convert his advantage into the deciding point. He maintained composure where others may have crumbled, showcasing his quality under extreme duress. The victory marked an exceptional statement for the teen, defeating Carlsen for the first time in a game with no time control, a tremendous feat.
When interviewed after the match, Praggnanandhaa praised Carlsen's fighting spirit but stated he was well-prepared to engage him in tactical battle. The win sent shockwaves through the chess world and proved this youngster has truly established himself among the global elite. With a thrilling victory over the game's standard bearer, Praggnanandhaa is now set to be a formidable force for years to come.
