Indian Teen Prodigy Praggnanandhaa Defeated Magnus Carlsen Again

For the second time in 2022, Indian Grand Master Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu defeated world champion, Magnus Carlsen.

On Friday, the two players clashed in the fifth round of the Chessable Masters online rapid chess tournament, and Praggnanandhaa’s win against Carlsen kept his chances of reaching the knockout stage alive.

The fifth-round match at the online competition was destined for a draw, but Carlsen’s one-move blunder-a misplaced black knight in his 40th move-caused his death.

On Day 2 of the competition, Praggnandha increased his point total to 12, while Carlsen was second on the scoreboard behind China’s Wei Yi. The event also includes Abhimanyu Mishra, the world’s youngest Grand Master.

In February, Praggnanandha, 16, defeated Magnus Carlsen for the first time in an online rapid chess event called Airthings Masters. Praggnanandhaa defeated Carlsen in a Tarrasch variation game with black pieces, ending Carlsen’s three-match winning streak at the Airthings Masters.

When asked how he would celebrate defeating Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa famously said, “I think it’s about just going to bed.”

In an interview with Chess24, the Indian star later stated that he was also taking school examinations throughout the event. “I’m not overjoyed with my gaming quality. “I’m missing certain stuff, tricks, and methods, so I need to sharpen up,” he admitted.

On Thursday, the third Chessable Masters began. Mishra, the world’s youngest Grandmaster, is also competing in the 16-man event. The eight-day tournament features a prize pool of up to $150,000 and two Tour Major qualifying berths. The championships will take place on Wednesday and Thursday. It is the fourth stop on the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour, with the overall Tour winner declared the world’s finest online chess player in November.

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