NEW DELHI: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa showcased his prowess by holding his ground against the reigning World No.1 Magnus Carlsen, ultimately securing a draw in the opening classical game of the FIDE World Cup chess final in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Displaying remarkable skill against a highly-regarded and better-rated adversary, Praggnanandhaa managed a stalemate after 35 moves while playing with the white pieces.

Chess World Cup Final: Game 1 Highlights

This outcome has a significant implication as Carlsen will now enjoy the privilege of playing with the white pieces in the upcoming second game of the two-game classical series scheduled for Wednesday.

“13… Rb8, I felt I should have something there. But maybe this position is just solid and I don’t have anything. What I played there was not the best try but I could not find anything,” said Praggnanandhaa after Game 1.
Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the final was characterised by a remarkable upset, where he triumphed over World No.3 Fabiano Caruana with a score of 3.5-2.5.

Notably, the 18-year-old Indian prodigy becomes the second player from his country to reach the World Cup final, an honor previously achieved by the legendary Viswanathan Anand.
Furthermore, Praggnanandhaa has already secured a place in the 2024 Candidates tournament, signifying a significant step in his burgeoning chess career.
(With PTI inputs)