Chess FIDE World Cup 2023 Final: R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen Game 1 Highlights

Published at :August 22, 2023 at 4:58 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 6:11 PM

Praggnanandhaa is aiming to become the first Indian in over two decades to win the title.

India’s teenage grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa will face World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the ongoing Chess FIDE World Cup 2023 final on August 22 (Tuesday). When he takes the stage, Praggnandhaa will become the first Indian since Viswananthan Anand to play in the FIDE World Cup final. At 18, he is also the youngest Indian to reach the Chess World Cup final. Follow the R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen clash in Chess FIDE World Cup 2023 live below.

Praggnanandhaa achieved the feat after his stunning semi-final win over USA’s Fabiano Caruana in Baku, Azerbaijan. He defeated the Caruana 3.5-2.5 to setup a final date with the top ranked Magnus Carlsen. Praggnanandhaa won the semi-final tie following a thrilling tie-breaker which also earned him plaudits from his idol and 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 legendary figure said on Twitter.

Watch R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen match 1 highlights in Chess FIDE World Cup 2023 final (Game 1)

Watch the R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen match live in Chess FIDE World Cup 2023 final

By virtue of reaching the final, Praggnanandhaa has also qualified for the 2024 Candidates Tournament. He is also now the third youngest player ever to qualify for the Candidates Tournament after Bobby Fischer and Carlsen himself.

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Praggnanandha’s final’s opponent Magnus Carlsen defeated Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov in the semi-finals and D Gukesh in the quarter-finals. Reacting on the opportunity of playing Magnus Carlsen in the finals, R Praggnanandhaa said, “I didn’t expect to play Magnus in this tournament at all because the only way I could play him was in the final, and I didn’t expect to be in the final… I will just try to give my best and see how it goes!”

Seeded 31st in the tournament, Praggnanandhaa secured wins against higher seeded players like World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and compatriot Arjun Erigaisi, before finally getting the better of USA’s World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semis to reach the final.

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