'Lesson' being taught: Anand Mahindra on R Praggnanandhaa's strategy behind stunning win over Magnus Carlsen

This was R Praggnanandhaa first win in any form of chess against Magnus Carlsen. (Photo: ANI)

Industrialist Anand Mahindra was all praises for Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa who scored a stunning victory over World no 1 Magnus Carlsen in an online chess tournament on Monday.

In a tweet tagging a news report that quoted the 16-year-old saying he was ‘enjoying himself’ during the game, Mahindra said there is a lesson to be learnt from the chess prodigy.

“There’s a lesson here being taught by this young man: It’s only when we ENJOY our work & our challenges that we can achieve our full potential,” Mahindra tweeted.

During the eighth round of Airthings Masters, Chennai-based Praggnanandhaa defeated 31-year-old Carlsen in just 39 moves to put an end to his three straight wins.

He was applauded by many, including cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, for his remarkable feat.

“What a wonderful feeling it must be for Pragg. All of 16, and to have beaten the experienced & decorated Magnus Carlsen, and that too while playing black, is magical! Best wishes on a long & successful chess career ahead. You’ve made India proud!” Tendukar tweeted.

What a wonderful feeling it must be for Pragg. All of 16, and to have beaten the experienced & decorated Magnus Carlsen, and that too while playing black, is magical!

Best wishes on a long & successful chess career ahead. You’ve made India proud! pic.twitter.com/hTQiwznJvX

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 21, 2022

“I think it’s about just going to bed,” Praggnanandhaa told the International Chess Federation (FIDE) when asked how he was going to celebrate the win.

A chess prodigy, Praggnanandhaa is the fifth-youngest person ever to achieve the title of Grandmaster. He got the title in 2018.

Airthings Masters is a 16-player game where each player gets three points for a win and one for a draw in the preliminary rounds. There are seven more rounds in the preliminary phase.