Picture Credit: Twitter
R Praggnanandhaa, the Indian chess prodigy who stunned the world by reaching the final of the FIDE World Cup 2023, received a grand welcome on his return to his school in Chennai on Monday. The 18-year-old and his mother Nagalakshmi were taken on a chariot around the school premises as students, teachers, and staff cheered and applauded for their hero.
The Grandmaster had previously arrived in Tamil Nadu and was greeted by a sizable audience at the airport in Chennai. He received a bouquet, a shawl, and a crown on his arrival.
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Praggnanandhaa, who became the second youngest Grandmaster in Indian history, aged 12, had an exceptional performance at the FIDE Chess World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. He defeated several higher-rated opponents, including World No. 2 Fabiano Caruana and compatriot Arjun Erigaisi, to reach the final. He also qualified for the prestigious Candidates Tournament, which will decide the challenger for the next World Championships.
In the final, Praggnanandhaa faced world champion Magnus Carlsen, who had never won the World Cup before. The two players drew both classical games, forcing a rapid tiebreak. In the first game, Praggnanandhaa had a promising position but made some impulsive moves that allowed Carlsen to turn the tables and win. In the second game, Praggnanandhaa could not create any chances with black and agreed to a draw, giving Carlsen the title.
Despite losing the final, Praggnanandhaa earned the respect and admiration of Carlsen and the chess community for his fighting spirit and talent. He also won a sizable prize money and became the third-youngest player ever to qualify for the Candidates Tournament.
