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Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, India's rising star, faces a crucial encounter against Fabiano Caruana of the United States in the penultimate round of the Norway Chess Tournament. The tournament has witnessed Praggnanandhaa's brilliance and resilience, with two Classical victories and two Armageddon wins propelling him to third place.Praggnanandhaa's highlight has been his stunning triumphs over world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and No. 2 Caruana in Classical games. However, he has also faced setbacks in Armageddon matches. Carlsen, with 14.5 points, leads the tournament, followed by American Hikaru Nakamura with 13.5 points. Praggnanandhaa, on 12 points, is third, ahead of Firouzja Alireza of France.The final round will see Praggnanandhaa face Nakamura, and two draws could secure his place in the world's top 10 rankings. Carlsen faces Alireza in the next round and Caruana in the finale, with Nakamura as the only potential challenger.In the women's section, Wenjun Ju leads with 14.5 points, followed by Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine. R Vaishali and Tingjie Lei of China share third place. Koneru Humpy is fifth, while Pia Cramling of Sweden is last.Vaishali faces Lei in the penultimate round, while Humpy plays Ju. Muzychuk meets Cramling, who has performed admirably despite her age.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa put up a valiant fight against world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the eighth round of the Norway Chess Tournament, but ultimately succumbed to the Norwegian's superior experience. However, Praggnanandhaa's elder sister, Vaishali, emerged victorious against overnight leader Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine in the women's section.Carlsen's victory extended his lead to a full point over Hikaru Nakamura of the United States, who suffered a defeat against Firouzja Alireza of France. Meanwhile, World Champion Ding Liren of China continued his disappointing run, losing to Fabiano Caruana of the United States.With just two rounds remaining in the six-player double round-robin tournament, Carlsen holds a commanding lead with 14.5 points, followed by Nakamura with 13.5 points. Praggnanandhaa sits in third place with 12 points, while Alireza trails him by a full point. Caruana occupies fifth place with nine points, while Liren languishes at the bottom with 4.5 points.In the women's section, world champion Wenjun Ju of China surged ahead of the field with 14.5 points after defeating Pia Cramling of Sweden. Muzychuk's loss to Vaishali dropped her to second place with 13 points, 1.5 points ahead of Vaishali and Tingjie Lei of China. Koneru Humpy of India remains in fifth place with eight points.All three games in the men's category ended in draws in the Classical format, leading to Armageddon games as per tournament rules. Carlsen struggled to break down Praggnanandhaa's solid defense in the Classical game, eventually reaching a theoretically drawn rooks and pawns endgame. However, in the return game, Praggnanandhaa's inexperience showed as he lost several pawns and eventually succumbed to Carlsen's superior endgame technique.Nakamura remained within striking distance of Carlsen despite his loss to Alireza. The Frenchman played an impressive game and will fancy his chances in the remaining rounds. Vaishali defeated Muzychuk for the second time in the tournament in the Armageddon game, taking advantage of her better-placed rooks to secure the victory.Humpy's hopes of a comeback were dashed by her loss to Tingjie Lei. The Indian star, known for her resilience, now needs two wins to finish the tournament on a high note.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa continues to make waves in the chess world, adding another high-profile scalp to his growing list of victories. At the prestigious Norway Chess Tournament, Praggnanandhaa defeated world champion Ding Liren in an armageddon game, securing a remarkable triumph.Praggnanandhaa's victory over Ding Liren comes on the heels of his impressive wins against Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana earlier in the tournament. The young Indian prodigy has been in scintillating form, showcasing his exceptional talent and strategic prowess.In the armageddon game against Ding Liren, Praggnanandhaa drew the traditional game, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. However, in the sudden death format, Praggnanandhaa seized the initiative and emerged victorious, demonstrating his nerves of steel and ability to perform under pressure.Praggnanandhaa's recent performances have garnered widespread praise from the chess community. Former world champion Gary Kasparov lauded his tenacity and resilience, while Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani and Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra hailed his stunning victory over Carlsen.Meanwhile, Hikaru Nakamura also made a significant move in the tournament, edging closer to leader Magnus Carlsen. Nakamura won an armageddon thriller against Carlsen, narrowing the gap to just half a point.In another exciting encounter, Fabiano Caruana and Alireza Firouzja engaged in a roller coaster of emotions. Caruana's bold knight sacrifice nearly backfired, but he managed to salvage a draw in the classical game. However, Firouzja dominated the armageddon game, leaving Caruana with no chance of recovery.Praggnanandhaa's remarkable run of victories has cemented his status as one of the most promising young chess players in the world. His ability to defeat top-ranked opponents consistently demonstrates his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. As he continues to rise through the ranks, Praggnanandhaa is poised to make even greater strides in the chess world.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has taken the chess world by storm with his stunning victories over world number one Magnus Carlsen and world number two Fabiano Caruana at the ongoing Norway Chess competition.Praggnanandhaa, just 18 years old, has become the first player to defeat both Carlsen and Caruana in classical chess in the same tournament. His heroics have propelled him into the top ten of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Rankings.In round three, Praggnanandhaa used white pieces to outplay Carlsen, the five-time World Champion. The Indian teenager displayed intelligent moves and tactical prowess to secure a memorable victory.Just a day later, Praggnanandhaa faced Caruana in round five and emerged victorious once again. This time, he used black pieces to neutralize Caruana's aggressive play and eventually forced a resignation.Praggnanandhaa's achievements have garnered praise from across the globe, including from Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani. "Incredible Praggnanandhaa! Beating both World No.1 Magnus Carlsen and No.2 Fabiano Caruana in classical chess at #NorwayChess is mindblowing," Adani tweeted.While Praggnanandhaa has been making headlines in the main event, his sister Vaishali has also been impressive in the Norway Chess Women's Tournament. She has extended her lead to 8.5 points after defeating legendary Pia Cramling.Meanwhile, local hero Carlsen registered a narrow victory over Caruana in the main event, while Alireza Firouzja stunned reigning World Champion Ding Liren.Norway Chess 2024, which commenced on May 27 and will conclude on June 7, has brought together the world's elite chess players for a super-tournament. The event features both the Norway Chess tournament and the Norway Chess Women's Tournament, showcasing the best male and female players globally.

18-year-old Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa has achieved a historic milestone by securing his first classical victory over five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen. This triumph, which occurred in Round 3 of Norway Chess, marks a significant moment in Praggnanandhaa's career and underscores his exceptional talent.Praggnanandhaa's victory was not a fluke but rather the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. He has previously defeated Carlsen in faster time controls, but this classical win is a testament to his growing maturity and skill. Playing with the Black pieces, Praggnanandhaa exploited an inaccuracy in Carlsen's opening and seized the initiative.Carlsen's attempt to throw off Praggnanandhaa with a dubious opening choice backfired, as the Indian maintained a high level of accuracy throughout the game. Praggnanandhaa's superior calculation skills and gumption allowed him to outwit Carlsen and secure the win in 37 moves.Praggnanandhaa's victory is a significant achievement for Indian chess and a testament to the rising talent of young players. It also highlights the changing landscape of chess, where younger players are increasingly challenging the established elite.Praggnanandhaa's win came on the birthday of fellow Indian prodigy D Gukesh, who recently qualified for the World Championship challenger's tournament. This coincidence adds to the significance of Praggnanandhaa's victory and underscores the bright future of Indian chess.Despite his historic win, Praggnanandhaa remains humble and focused. He recognizes the importance of not letting emotions affect his performance and is determined to continue improving his game.

Indian chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu is eagerly anticipating his participation in the prestigious 12th edition of Norway Chess, set to take place from May 27 to June 7 in Stavanger, Norway. The tournament boasts an exceptional lineup, including world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, World Champion Ding Liren, and world No. 3 Hikaru Nakamura.Pragg, 18, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to compete against such a formidable field. "I am very happy and excited to play in Norway Chess. The field is extremely strong. This is perhaps the strongest field I have played, and I see this as an opportunity and a challenge to give my best," he said.Reflecting on his memorable contest with Carlsen at last year's FIDE Chess World Cup, Pragg emphasized his eagerness to face the Norwegian once again. "I always enjoy a good challenge. After the World Cup last year, this will be my first classical game with him. I am quite excited to play him and equally excited to play the others. No doubt the experience here will help me in future tournaments."Pragg dismissed the notion that playing Carlsen on his home turf would pose a significant challenge. "I don't think playing Magnus on his home turf is a challenge for me. Usually, it matters to the player playing in his home, but it won't matter so much for me," he asserted.The young Indian also expressed his delight at the inclusion of an exclusive women's tournament in Norway Chess. "I am happy to see an exclusive women's tournament being introduced in Norway Chess. It is a very good initiative because there are not many tournaments for women. This will encourage other organizations to come up with women's tournaments too."Pragg's sister, Vaishali Rameshbabu, will also make her debut in the Norway Chess Women's Tournament. "I am looking forward to seeing how she will do," Pragg said.The tournament will be played in a double round-robin format with classical time control. In case of a draw, an Armageddon game will be played.

Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa secured an impressive fourth place finish at the Rapid and Blitz chess tournament in Poland, while world number one Magnus Carlsen emerged victorious after a remarkable performance on the final day.Carlsen, trailing China's Wei Yi by 2.5 points entering the final day, unleashed a stunning nine-game winning streak, including victories over three Indian players: Arjun Erigaisi, Gukesh D, and Praggnanandhaa. This triumph marks Carlsen's seventh consecutive tournament win, solidifying his dominance in the chess world.Arjun Erigaisi finished in fifth place, while Gukesh D, the youngest-ever challenger to the world title, placed 10th. Carlsen's victory propelled him to the top of the Grand Chess Tour 2024 season standings, a prestigious circuit of tournaments offering substantial prize pools.Praggnanandhaa's fourth-place finish is a testament to his exceptional talent. In 2023, he became the world's youngest chess player to reach the World Cup final, joining Viswanathan Anand as the only Indians to achieve this feat. His remarkable rise to prominence continued in 2022, when he defeated Carlsen multiple times, showcasing India's growing chess prowess.Praggnanandhaa's journey began at the tender age of five, and he became India's youngest and the world's second-youngest Grandmaster at age 12 in 2018. He is the fifth-youngest person to achieve the Grandmaster title, following Abhimanyu Mishra, Sergey Karjakin, Gukesh D, and Javokhir Sindarov.The International Chess Federation (FIDE) acknowledged Carlsen's triumph, tweeting, "Magnus Carlsen emerged as the winner of the 2024 Superbet Poland Rapid & Blitz. The World #1 became the leader of the Grand Chess Tour 2024 season and took home $40,000 first prize."

P Shayaamnikhil, a 31-year-old chess prodigy from Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu, has finally achieved his long-awaited dream of becoming India's 85th Grandmaster (GM). After a 12-year wait, Shayaamnikhil secured his third and final GM norm at the recently concluded Dubai Police Masters chess tournament.Shayaamnikhil's journey to GM status began at the tender age of eight when he was introduced to the game by his parents. Despite facing financial constraints, he relocated to Chennai to pursue his chess aspirations under the guidance of renowned coach K Visweswaran.In 2011, at the age of 19, Shayaamnikhil earned his first GM norm at the Mumbai Mayors Cup. He followed it up with a second norm at the Indian championship. However, completing the rating requirement proved to be an elusive goal for the next 12 years.Shayaamnikhil faced numerous setbacks and missed opportunities during this period. He narrowly missed his final norm at the Dubai Open in 2012 and struggled to find success in tournaments in Vietnam and the UAE.Undeterred, Shayaamnikhil remained determined to achieve his GM title. In 2017, he began competing in Europe, hoping to secure the elusive norm. However, he faced further disappointments, including a missed opportunity at a tournament in France just before the Dubai Police Masters.With unwavering resolve, Shayaamnikhil entered the Dubai Police Masters with a renewed sense of purpose. He needed just one win and eight draws to complete his GM title. In a nail-biting final round, Shayaamnikhil conjured the necessary victory, securing his third GM norm and the coveted 2500 ELO rating points.Shayaamnikhil's triumph is a testament to his perseverance and unwavering belief in his abilities. He credits his parents, coach, and the support of his fellow players for his success."I started playing at the age of eight, my parents taught me but I could not play any tournament for three years. Winning the under-13 State championship opened up opportunities for me as I could play Asian and age group world championship," Shayaamnikhil recalled."Now that the title is done, I can play more freely," he added.

India's R Praggnanandhaa continues to impress in the Superbet rapid and blitz chess tournament, securing another victory over world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway. However, Wei Yi of China has extended his lead to a commanding 2.5 points after the first day of blitz.With nine rounds remaining in the blitz event, Wei Yi has accumulated an impressive 20.5 points, including seven wins on the opening day. The Chinese prodigy appears unstoppable and is poised to claim the first leg of the Grand Chess Tour unless a significant setback occurs.Carlsen, with 18 points, trails Wei Yi by a significant margin. Praggnanandhaa's consistent victories over the world champion in rapid chess have contributed to Carlsen's current position. However, Praggnanandhaa remains behind the leaders with 14.5 points, making it a two-horse race for the title.Arjun Erigaisi of India occupies fourth place with 14 points, followed by Duda Jan-Krzysztof of Poland with 13 points. Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and Vincent Keymer of Germany are in sixth and seventh place, respectively, with 12.5 and 11.5 points.Anish Giri of Holland has improved his position to ninth with 10.5 points. In contrast, world championship challenger D. Gukesh of India continues to struggle, languishing at the bottom of the standings with 9.5 points.Carlsen has acknowledged that his nervous system was affected by his second-round loss to Praggnanandhaa. The world number one managed to secure six points out of nine, a respectable result, but he suffered another blunder against Abdusattorov after his defeat to the Indian prodigy.Wei Yi began the day with a loss to Gukesh but quickly recovered, conceding only a draw to Carlsen while winning the remaining seven games. Gukesh had a challenging day despite his strong start against the tournament leader, scoring only 2.5 points.Arjun's victories over Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh keep him in contention for a podium finish. Despite losses to Wei Yi and Carlsen, Arjun secured five wins and two draws in his other games, giving him optimism for the final day.