Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa is the latest Indian to outsmart world number one Magnus Carlsen. Praggnanandhaa, 19, joined the trend at the USD 750,000 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour in Las Vegas. The outcome helped him advance to the quarterfinals, and also put Carlsen out of the title contention. The Norwegian has endured similar fate against D Gukesh, the reigning world champion, in recent weeks. However, Gukesh isn't taking part at this event.
Praggnanandhaa was in his elements as he effectively deployed his pieces right from the word go. Although Carlsen got some chances, Praggnanandhaa crashed through with some imaginative manoeuvres.
The defeat had quite an impact on Carlsen's performance as he lost another game against Wesley So in the next round and was shockingly eliminated from the top bracket by Levon Aronian of United States 2-0 in the final tiebreaker for the fourth spot that ensued.
The Freestyle Grand Slam Tour in Las Vegas is a 16-player event, divided in two groups of eight each. Top four from each pool advanced to the quarterfinals after playing once with each of the other participant.
As per the rules laid out, a player who fails to make the top bracket in the first set of qualifiers can no longer win the event. With this Carlsen can now only finish at best finish third if he wins the remaining matches.
Praggnanandhaa secured 4.5 points out of the possible 7 and tied for the first spot in his group with Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sandarov, along with Aronian, finishing on four points. Carlsen, on the other hand, finished fifth ahead of Vincent Keymer of Germany, Wesley So and lone woman participant Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan.
Arjun Erigaisi, Vidit Gujrathi - other Indians in fray
Meanwhile, Arjun Erigaisi, another Indian in fray and pooled in the other group, also made it to the quarterfinals. He produced a tremendous comeback after some initial struggles.
In the second group christened black, Hikaru Nakamura topped the standings with an astonishing 6/7 with his American country-man Hans Niemann finishing second on 4.5 points.
Erigaisi finished tied third on four points with another local star Fabiano Caruana.
Another American trio of Leinier Dominguez Perez, Sevian Samuel and Robson Ray finished 5-7 in the second group with Indian Vidit Gujrathi ending on the last spot.
Who will Praggnannadhaa meet next?
Praggnannadhaa will meet Fabiano Caruana of United States in the quarterfinals while Erigaisi will have to tackle Abdusattorov.
Results qualifiers group white: 1-3: R Praggnanandhaa (Ind); Abdusattorov Nodirbek (Uzb) Javokhir Sandarov (Uzb) 4.5 each; 4-5: Levon Aronian (Usa) Magnus Carlsen (Nor) 4 each; 6-7: Vincent Keymer (Ger), Wesley So (Usa) 3 each; 8. Bibisara Assaubuyeva (Kaz, 0.5).
Group black: 1. Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 6); 2. Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 4.5); 3-4. Arjun Erigaisi (Ind), Fabiano Caruana (Usa) 4 each; 5. Leinier Dominguez Perez (Usa, 3) 6-7: Sevian Samual (Usa), Robron Ray (Usa) 2.5 each; 8. Vidit Gujrathi (Ind, 1.5).
Pairings quarterfinals: Praggnanandhaa vs Caruana; Abdusattorov vs Arjun; Aronian vs Nakamura; Niemann vs Sindarov.
- with PTI inputs
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
