• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

R. Praggnanandhaa registered a memorable win over USA’s Fabiano Caruana in tiebreaks of the semi-final encounter to enter the final of the FIDE World Cup on Monday.

The 18-year-old now has become the third youngest to qualify for the Candidates Tournament after Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen. He is also the first Indian to reach the World Cup final since the knockout format was introduced in 2005.

Praggnanandhaa got the better of Caruana 3.5-2.5 in Baku, Azerbaijan to set up a blockbuster summit clash with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen.

 

ALSO READ: Tom Moody Lauds BCCI's 'Transparency And Honesty' In Selecting Asia Cup Squad

 

The Indian Grandmaster was quick to get praise from chess legend Viswanathan Anand. "Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now. What a performance!" the chess legend said.

Anand himself won the titles in 2000 and 2002 in a 24-player league-cum-knockout format.

As per the International Chess Federation or FIDE's rules, the top three players in the World Cup qualify for the Candidates Tournament.

Praggnanandhaa had earlier defeated far higher-rated players, including US GM Hikaru Nakamura, world No. 2 by rating.

Earlier, in the women’s final, Aleksandra Goryachkina rode her luck all the way to deny 20-year-old Bulgarian Nurgyul Salimova a well-deserved title by winning the second 25-minute rapid game.

Salimova, who let the second-seeded Russian off the hook on Sunday, again blew a winning position in the first rapid clash on Monday.

 

ALSO READ: Virat Kohli's New Haircut And Ear Piercings Take Internet By Storm

 

Goryachkina then took the upper hand before Salimova found a continuation leading to a draw. Just when the contest seemed to be heading for a pair of 10-minute rapid games, Salimova made yet another mistake and allowed Goryachkina to seize the opportunity to decide the title.

The result ensured the top prize of $50,000 for Goryachkina and the consolation for a disappointed Salimova was $35,000.

 

Also In News