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The Indian men's chess team continued their impressive run at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, securing a 2.5-1.5 victory over Azerbaijan in the fifth round. The win was spearheaded by in-form stars D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi, who extended their unbeaten streak in the tournament.Gukesh, playing with white pieces on board one, outplayed Aydin Sulemanli in a quick and decisive game. Erigaisi, on board three, also showcased his dominance, overpowering Rauf Mamedov with a similar efficiency.Praggnanandhaa, on board two, played another draw, but his contribution was crucial in ensuring India's victory, regardless of the outcome of Vidit Gujrathi's game against Shakhriyar Mamedyarov.With this victory, the Indian men's team maintained their perfect record, scoring ten points from five matches. They are now joined by Vietnam, who also continued their impressive performance with a 2.5-1.5 win over Poland.In the women's section, Grandmaster D Harika suffered a surprising defeat against Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan, giving the latter an early lead. However, Vantika Agarwal played a strong game on board four, securing a clean victory with white pieces against Alua Nurman. Xeniya Balabayeva and Divya Deshmukh shared the point on board five.Grandmaster R Vaishali came close to securing a second win for India, but ultimately settled for a draw.With this result, the Indian women's team is likely to join Armenia and Mongolia in the lead with ten points.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's hopes of a strong finish at the Sinquefield Cup took a hit as he squandered a winning position against Wesley So of America in the fifth round. The Indian prodigy, who had a chance to move into contention for the title, faltered in the endgame, allowing So to escape with a draw.Praggnanandhaa's setback was compounded by World Championship challenger D Gukesh, who settled for a hard-fought draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan. The Indian duo, who have been in impressive form this year, have now dropped valuable points in the tournament.Meanwhile, Alireza Firouzja of France emerged as the sole leader after beating Anish Giri of Holland. The French prodigy, who has been in scintillating form, now has 3.5 points, a half point ahead of So.The other matches in the 10-player round-robin tournament ended in draws. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France, Ding Liren of China, Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, and Fabiano Caruana of the United States all shared the third spot on 2.5 points each.Praggnanandhaa's loss was particularly disappointing as he had been in a commanding position against So. The Indian had a significant material advantage in the endgame but failed to convert it into a victory. This has been a recurring theme for Praggnanandhaa, who has often struggled to close out games from winning positions.Despite the setback, Praggnanandhaa remains in contention for a top-three finish. He will need to bounce back strongly in the remaining rounds and hope that the leaders falter.

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old chess prodigy from Chennai, has become a global sensation after his remarkable performance at the Norway Chess tournament. His victory over World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen sent shockwaves through the chess world and cemented his status as a rising star.Praggnanandhaa's journey to the top has been marked by hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His victory over Carlsen was not a fluke; it was the culmination of years of training and preparation. The young Indian has a deep understanding of the game and an uncanny ability to calculate complex positions.Beyond his chess prowess, Praggnanandhaa is also known for his humility and respect for his opponents. He has a close relationship with Carlsen, who has praised Praggnanandhaa's talent and sportsmanship. The two players share a mutual respect and admiration, which has made their rivalry one of the most compelling in chess history.Praggnanandhaa's success has not only brought him fame but has also inspired a new generation of chess players in India. His achievements have helped to raise the profile of the game in the country and have shown that Indian players can compete with the best in the world.With the Paris Olympics 2024 approaching, Praggnanandhaa is eager to represent India on the global stage. He believes that chess has the potential to become an Olympic sport and is excited about the prospect of competing for a medal.Praggnanandhaa's journey is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and the support of family and friends. He is an inspiration to young people everywhere and a shining example of what can be achieved through passion and perseverance.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's hopes of a strong finish in the Superbet Classic tournament were dented after he was held to a draw by the lowest-ranked player in the field, Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania. The result leaves Praggnanandhaa in a three-way tie for second place, half a point behind tournament leader Fabiano Caruana of the United States.Praggnanandhaa, who has been in impressive form this year, tried to break down Bogdan-Daniel's solid Nimzo Indian defense but was unable to find a breakthrough. The game was eventually drawn through repetition after 38 moves."It was a tough game," said Praggnanandhaa. "I tried my best, but I couldn't find a way to win. I'm disappointed, but I'll try to come back stronger in the next round."Bogdan-Daniel, who is ranked 267th in the world, was delighted with his result. "I'm very happy with the draw," he said. "Praggnanandhaa is a very strong player, so I'm proud to have held him to a draw."In other games, Iranian-French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja continued his impressive form with a win over Wesley So of the United States. Firouzja, who is now tied for second place with Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh of India, is now just half a point behind Caruana.Gukesh, who is preparing for his World Championship match against Ding Liren in November, played a cautious game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave of France and settled for a draw.With just three rounds remaining in the tournament, Caruana is in a strong position to win the title. However, Praggnanandhaa, Firouzja, and Gukesh will all be looking to catch him and claim the top prize.

Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's quest for a joint lead at the Superbet Classic chess tournament was thwarted by a draw against compatriot D Gukesh in the third round. Despite having an opportunity to avenge his loss to Gukesh in the Candidates tournament earlier this year, Praggnanandhaa failed to find a winning continuation after Gukesh salvaged a drawn endgame.The Catalan opening witnessed Gukesh sacrificing a pawn early, with Praggnanandhaa countering on the Queen side. However, Gukesh regained the pawn and gained an optical advantage with his Knight against Praggnanandhaa's Bishop.In the ensuing endgame, Gukesh blundered on move 53, leading to a forced liquidation and a King and pawns endgame. While Praggnanandhaa may have found a winning continuation on another day, luck favored Gukesh, and the game ended in a draw.All five games in the ten-player double round-robin tournament ended in draws for the first time in three days. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave came close to victory against Alireza Firouzja in a Berlin defense game, but a late error allowed Firouzja to escape with a draw.The lead positions remained unchanged, with Gukesh and Fabiano Caruana of the United States sharing the top spot with two points each. Vachier-Lagrave, Praggnanandhaa, Firouzja, Wesley So, Giri, and Nepomniachtchi trail with 1.5 points apiece.Dutchman Anish Giri drew on his 30th birthday against Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, while Deac Bogdan-Daniel of Romania held off Wesley So in a slightly worse endgame.

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 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.

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa's impressive run at the Norway Chess tournament came to an end in the second round, as he succumbed to World Champion Ding Liren in the Armageddon tie-breaker. The highly anticipated clash between the two ended in a draw under normal time control, setting the stage for a thrilling tie-breaker.In the Armageddon game, Liren emerged victorious, showcasing his exceptional skills under pressure. The Chinese GM's triumph marked a significant moment in the tournament, as he overcame Praggnanandhaa's 2-0 head-to-head advantage.Meanwhile, Magnus Carlsen continued his dominance, securing a crucial victory in the Armageddon game against Hikaru Nakamura. Carlsen's exceptional skill under pressure was evident as he added to his impressive Armageddon record and took the lead in the tournament standings with 3 points.Alireza Firouzja also impressed, drawing his classical game against Fabiano Caruana before showcasing his abilities in speed chess to bag 1.5 points in the Armageddon game.In the women's section, R Vaishali made history by defeating fellow Indian Koneru Humpy in a classical game. Vaishali's victory marked her first classical win in the tournament and propelled her to the position of India's number two female player on the live rating list.The other two classical matches between Lei Tingjie and Pia Cramling, as well as Ju Wenjun and Anna Muzychuk, ended in hard-fought draws. However, the Chinese duo of Wenjun and Tingjie emerged victorious in their respective Armageddon games.The Norway Chess tournament continues to provide thrilling action, with the world's top players showcasing their exceptional skills. Praggnanandhaa's loss to Liren may have been a setback, but it serves as a reminder of the intense competition at the highest level of chess.