FTX Crypto Cup: R Praggnanandhaa Beats World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen

New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu showed a superb performance as he defeated world champion, Magnus Carlsen 4-2 in the final round of the FTX Crypto Cup here.

Praggnanandhaa won three consecutive games from Carlsen, including two in a tiebreak. The 17-year-old from India finished second in the final table despite a win over Carlsen.

Norway's Carlsen won the title by scoring the most points. He scored a total of 16 points while Pragyanananda ended his campaign with 15 points.

"I played poorly throughout the day but in the end, I got the result I deserved. Losing is never good, but it is an equally good time," Carlsen said after the match.

Another player, Alireza Firouzja also scored 15 points but was placed third as Praggnanandhaa had defeated him earlier in the tournament.

The first two games between Carlsen and Praggnanandha were drawn. However, Carlsen won the third game but the Indian player did not give up and won the fourth game and dragged the match to a tie-breaker. After this, the Indian player surprised Carlsen by winning both the games in the tie-breaker.

Praggnanandhaa has been in excellent form this year and has defeated world champion, Carlsen, twice in online competitions earlier. He was also instrumental in helping the India B team win a bronze medal at the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Chennai.

"I could have done better in the last few days but overall second place is good," Praggnanandhaa said.

This Indian player started his campaign with a win over Firouzja.

Earlier in February, Praggnanandhaa was in the headlines after he defeated world champion, Carlsen, in an online chess match. At the Airthings Masters rapid chess competition, Carlsen lost to Praggnanandhaa, then only 16.

R Praggnanandhaa is just 17 years old. He hails from Chennai and is a student of Velammal school. He has finished his 10th standard.

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