R Praggnanandhaa defeated world champion Magnus Carlsen.© Twitter
Secretary of the All India Chess Federation (AICF) Bharat Singh Chauhan is not surprised by 16-year-old R Praggnanandhaa’s stunning world champion Magnus Carlsen in the eighth round of the ongoing Airthings Masters and says the young Indian player has performed consistently well in several international events. “I am not surprised at the way he plays in various international events and the way he performs. I expect more fireworks from these youngsters Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Gukesh, Erigaisi Arjun. They all did well. Praggnanandhaa defeated Carlsen that’s a great feeling. He played a good game. He’s third from the bottom of the tournament he’s playing in. The mentality he’s playing with, he’s not worried about who he’s playing against and he’s playing all the best players.” Chauhan told ANI.
Praggnanandhaa defeated Norway’s world champion Carlsen in 39 moves. The AICF secretary said the young Indian player is “very dynamic and tactically well-versed”.
“Praggnanandhaa does his best in all games, 39 moves or 89 moves. He keeps fighting until the end. He is very well versed in theory and very dynamic. Also good at tactics, so I think it was a great game.” said Chauhan.
After beating the world champion, Praggnanandhaa came back with two more wins showing that his win was no flash in the pan. The 16-year-old took victories against Andrey Esipenko and Alexandra Kosteniuk in rounds 10 and 12 of the Airthings Masters, an online fast-paced chess competition.
“It is expected of him. He is doing well and he can beat any player in the world. No top player can take him lightly. He is a great player and I am sure with the great mentality, great opening preparations and tactical play. ” he is really great. I see a great future in him,” Chauhan said.
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Praggnanandhaa’s victory over Carlsen was something of a sweet revenge when Norwegian dethroned Indian legend Viswanathan Anand as World Chess Champion in 2013. So far, only three Indians have managed to beat Carlsen. For Praggnanandhaa, P Harikrishna and Viswanathan Anand defeated the Noor.
“It’s only one match and Anand is still strong. He can beat Magnus even today or any player in the world. Anand is Anand. So youngsters will take revenge (for which) our champions of yesteryear have minus scores against him. These youngsters will glory land,” Chauhan said.
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