New Delhi, June 3: Business magnate Anand Mahindra has lauded Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa following his remarkable victory over world number one Magnus Carlsen at the Norway Chess tournament. This marks Praggnanandhaa’s second win against Carlsen in the event.
After the match, Mahindra expressed his admiration on X, stating, “The label of ‘invincible’ seems to be fitting now, and Magnus showed no frustration. I hope this means he is beginning to expect such results against Praggnanandhaa.”
Praggnanandhaa’s triumph adds another chapter to the growing rivalry between the two chess giants. Having already defeated Carlsen with white pieces, the Indian player secured another victory in round 8 with black pieces. He showcased both versatility and composure against one of the best players in the current chess era.
The significance of this victory is heightened as Praggnanandhaa becomes only the second Indian player, after Viswanathan Anand, to defeat Carlsen twice in a single tournament. This win also marks his third classical-format victory against the five-time world champion.
The game remained balanced until the final phase, when Carlsen faced severe pressure due to time constraints. Praggnanandhaa capitalized on this crucial moment, securing the win and solidifying his position in the title race. This important victory earned him 12 points, placing him firmly in contention for the Norway Chess title as the event progresses.
Meanwhile, world champion Gukesh D. and Divya Deshmukh faced defeats against Alireza Firouzja and Bibisara Assaubayeva, respectively. After round 8, Wesley So leads the Norway Chess standings with 14 points, followed closely by Alireza Firouzja with 13 points, and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu with 12 points.
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