In the Chess World Cup final, R. Praggnanandhaa Vs. Magnus Carlsen, the battle took an unexpected turn as Carlsen’s recent health issues seemed to impact his strategy.
The second game of the final series ended in a swift draw, setting the stage for a decisive outcome in the upcoming rapid tiebreaks on Thursday.
Lasting only 30 moves, Wednesday’s final encounter was characterized by Magnus Carlsen‘s cautious approach, signaling his intention to minimize his time at the board.
Pragg, having engaged in multiple tiebreaks during the tournament, also adopted a similar mindset as the game progressed. Reflecting on the match, Praggnanandhaa noted, “I didn’t anticipate a quick draw from him today, but his chosen approach indicated his desire for it.
I was content with that decision. I’ve been feeling quite fatigued, as mentioned in previous interviews. Now, I can give my all tomorrow and find relaxation thereafter.”
Praggnanandhaa’s journey in the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable. Overcoming opponents like World No. 2 Hiraku Nakamura and World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals, he displayed his prowess.
His prowess was also evident in tiebreaks, a point he made after the semifinal victory.
The young chess prodigy, who celebrated his 18th birthday during the tournament, acknowledged the growing attention directed towards the sport and himself. “I’m progressively becoming accustomed to this,” he shared with FIDE. “It’s heartening to witness the increasing number of chess enthusiasts, and the popularity of chess is undoubtedly on the rise.”
