Political leaders of all parties congratulated 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa after he defeated world number 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals of the World Chess Championship. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest person ever to reach the final of the tournament.
The teenage sensation continued his dream journey at the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, when he overcame Fabiano Caruana of America 3.5-2.5 in a tense match. Now he will face world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, a five-time champion from Norway, in the ultimate match.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi sent his best wishes to Praggnanandhaa on his summit clash with Magnus Carlsen and said that more than a billion people in the country were cheering for him.
Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Congratulations to R Praggnanandhaa for an outstanding journey to the final of the FIDE World Chess Championship. My best wishes for the title fight with Magnus Carlsen. Over a billion Indians are cheering for you.”
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated Praggnanandhaa and said it was a proud moment for the country as the teenager became the youngest player to reach the final of the World Chess Championship.
“India’s 18-year-old Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has made history! Become the youngest player to reach the final of the World Chess Championship. Truly, a proud moment for India. Sincere congratulations! Now the big match,” the minister wrote on Twitter.
BJP leader Tejasvi Surva described Praggnanandhaa’s victory as great and sent his best wishes to the final.
“Congratulations to Grand Master #Praggnanandhaa on reaching the final #FIDEWorldCup. His impressive win over world No. 3 Fabiano Caruana in the tie-break set the stage for an epic match against Magnus. Carlsen to win the championship. All the best to the championship!” he wrote on X.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi congratulated Grandmaster of India and wished him all the best for the summit clash.
“Congratulations to R Praggnanandhaa for reaching the final of the FIDE World Chess Championship. Best wishes for the big game ahead,” she said.
Chess legend and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has heaped praise on Praggnanandhaa and was in awe of his rich form at the World Chess Championship.
“Pragg made it to the final! He beat Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will now face Magnus Carlsen. What a performance!” he wrote on X.
Before winning the final stop with Magnus Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach the semi-finals of the FIDE World Cup chess tournament.
The 18-year-old Indian prodigy is now the third youngest player after legends Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen to qualify for the Candidates tournament.
The tournament’s top three finishers will qualify for the 2024 Candidates event to determine the challenger to defending world champion Ding Liren of China.
(with input from PTI)
Edited by:
Chakraborty Talk
Publish to:
August 22, 2023
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