FIDE World Cup 2023: R Praggnanandhaa Knocks Hikaru Nakamura Out, Magnus Carlsen Faces Vasyl Ivanchuk

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India's Grand Master Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu on Friday (August 11) stunned world number two GM Hikaru Nakamura in round four tiebreaks in the ongoing 2023 FIDE World Cup. The event is also over for Women's World Champion GM Ju Wenjun after she missed a trick against GM Elisabeth Paehtz.

Round five of the FIDE World Cup begins on Saturday (August 12) at 7 am ET (13:00 CEST, 4:30 pm IST).

Image: FIDE

Magnus Carlsen sets up last 16 clash with Vasyl Ivanchuk

World number one Magnus Carlsen beat GM Vincent Keymer to set up a last 16 clash against GM Vasyl Ivanchuk. In total, 15 players were eliminated, leaving just 16 players in the Open section and eight in the Women's section.

How to watch the FIDE World Cup

For most of the players facing round four tiebreaks on Friday, there was only one match that went beyond the second tiebreak of two ten-minute games. Here's how you can watch all the action from the tournament.

Nakamura and Ju among 10 players eliminated in 25-minute games

The tiebreaks, which are a series of games played to break a tie in chess matches, had just started when it became evident that Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura was facing significant difficulties against the young Indian chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa. Nakamura himself admitted later on that he had reached a point where he could practically give up as he had made critical errors in his preparation for the game.

Praggnanandhaa wins first tiebreak game against Nakamura

Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious in the initial tiebreak encounter, playing with the black pieces. This win put Nakamura in a precarious position, as he now had to secure a victory in the subsequent game or face elimination from the highly competitive FIDE World Cup.

Carlsen congratulates Praggnanandhaa

Magnus Carlsen, the renowned chess grandmaster, displayed a remarkable act of sportsmanship and admiration during a crucial moment in his own match. Despite being engrossed in his game, Carlsen took a pause to personally congratulate Praggnanandhaa, affectionately known as Pragg.

Approaching Pragg with genuine appreciation and respect, Carlsen conveyed the sentiment shared by many within the chess community by stating, "We all want to be like you today." This simple yet impactful statement highlighted the exceptional talent and skill possessed by Pragg that had captivated not only Carlsen but also numerous enthusiasts watching their respective matches.

Carlsen's gesture demonstrated his ability to recognise greatness even amidst his own intense competition. By acknowledging Pragg's outstanding performance while still fully engaged in his own game, Carlsen showcased humility and camaraderie within the realm of professional chess.

Nijat Abasov and Saleh Salem cause upsets in 25-minute games

GM Nijat Abasov continued his trail of destruction by adding GM Peter Svidler to a list of scalps that already included GMs Laurent Fressinet and Anish Giri. Meanwhile, GM Saleh Salem defeated GM Daniele Vocaturo.

Duda comes back after loss to Maghsoodloo

Reigning champion Jan Krzysztof Duda lost a wild game at the start of the tiebreaks against Parham Maghsoodloo but managed to come back on demand with a win in the first 10-minute game.

Wang Hao and Rasmus Svane go to sudden death

The tiebreak between Wang Hao and Rasmus Svane went all the way to sudden death in three-minute games. After eight draws in a row, Wang finally clinched his spot in round five.

Carlsen to face Ivanchuk in round five

The highly anticipated round five of the FIDE World Cup will witness a thrilling clash between the reigning world number one, Magnus Carlsen, and the formidable Grandmaster Vasyl Ivanchuk. This encounter promises to be an intense battle of wits and strategy as these two chess titans vie for victory in this prestigious tournament.

With Carlsen's exceptional skills and Ivanchuk's vast experience, spectators can expect an enthralling display of tactical brilliance and calculated moves. As both players bring their A-game to the board, it remains uncertain who will emerge triumphant in this crucial round of the FIDE World Cup.