FIDE World Cup 2023 Final: R Praggnanandhaa loses to Magnus Carlsen in tiebreaker, finishes as runner-up

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Baku (Azerbaijan), Aug 24: India's R Praggnanandhaa lost to world number one Magnus Carlsen in the FIDE World Cup 2023 Final tie-break here on Thursday (August 24).

In a high-octane tie-breaker, which was played to decide the champion, Carlsen - who is one of the greatest players of all time - showcased his class to defeat the 18-year-old Indian 1.5-0.5 after the classical games ended in a stalemate.

The second 25+10 tie-break game ended in a draw in 22 moves as the Norwegian legend played it safe after he had won the first, displaying his end-game skills. Having already won the World Championship five times, it is the first World Cup trophy for Carlsen.

A World Cup title was the only missing feather in Carlsen's illustrious cap and the Norwegian secured victory in a scintillating rapid tie-break. The Indian teenage sensation - who was in phenomenal form - finished as runner-up in the prestigious event but he left his mark in the marquee competition.

The Indian - who is ranked 23rd - proved he's going to be a force to reckon with in the game of 64 squares in the coming years. On his way to the final, the Indian defeated world no. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and world number 3 Fabiano Caruana.

By winning the silver medal, Praggnanandhaa also secured a ticket to the FIDE Candidates and will now challenge reigning World Chess champion Ding Liren of China next year. Pragg along with Caruana - who secured a bronze medal - and Azerbaijan's local hero Nijat Abasov have booked a spot in the Candidates.

The day's play began with a two-game rapid match, a format in which Carlsen, as the reigning World Rapid Champion, is often seen as the favourite. The superstar from Norway - who wasn't in the best of fitness due to food poisoning - gradually regained his strength and focus.

Carlsen vs Praggnanandhaa FIDE Chess World Cup Final Tiebreaks Result

With rapids being his biggest strength, Carlsen started on a dominating note in the tiebreakers and took an advantage over the Indian despite facing stiff competition in the first game in tiebreaks.

He manoeuvred the black pieces deftly even as Pragnnanandhaa kept matching him move-by-move but the world number one kept his cool and started pushing Praggnanandhaa on the backfoot after 47 moves.

Carlsen eventually went 1-0 up in the tiebreaks by winning the first game in 47 moves. Praggnanandhaa kept himself in the hunt even after 27 moves by locking in a tense contest but eventually had no answer to Carlsen's class as he scripted a win from a situation when the game was heading towards a draw.

Both Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen sacrificed their 'queens' by move number 18 and in his 16th move, Praggnanandhaa sacrificed his 'knight' for a 'bishop' of Carlsen. After 14 moves, both the finalists lost a 'bishop' each among their main pieces.

In the second rapids game, Carlsen, who was playing in whites, started on a more confident note and the Norwegian moved to a better position within 10 moves by exchanging a 'knight' each against the Indian.

Having taken an early advantage after winning the first game, Carlsen kept raising the standard of his game, to which the Chennai lad had no response. Praggnanandhaa eventually gave in and the two parties shook hands after amicably drawing the second game in tie breaks.

FIDE Chess World Cup: Tiebreak Rules

Tiebreak 1: Best of two rapid games, which will comprise 25 minutes; the players will get 10 seconds per move.

Tiebreak 2: Best of two rapid games, which will comprise 10 minutes; and the players will get 10 seconds per move.

Praggnanandhaa-Carlsen settled for two draws in classical rounds

Earlier on Wednesday (August 23), the Indian Grandmaster drew the second classical game of the final and took the game to the tie breaks. The two players settled for a quiet draw in 30 moves in game two which lasted for an-hour-and-a-half.

Carlsen played a solid game with white pieces against Praggnanandhaa. The teenager did not face any troubles with black pieces, with the players agreeing to a draw after 30 moves in an equal Bishop ending.

The first game of the Chess World Cup final, which was played on August 21, ended in a stalemate after over four hours of play and 70-plus moves. After settling for a draw, Carlsen said he was a bit under the weather.

En route to his final, the 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa had stunned world No. 3 Fabiano Caruana via the tie-break in the semifinals to set up a summit clash with Carlsen.