18th August 2023, Mumbai: Praggnanndhaa has made his mother and country proud! After reaching the FIDE World Cup semifinal, R Praggnanandhaa’s mother, Nagalakshmi, got emotional as her son became the first Indian after Viswanathan Anand to enter the last 4 of the marquee tournament.
In the viral picture, which is going around on the internet, Nagalakshmi could be seen smiling beside her son, who was giving an interview. Later, she was seen sitting alone and wiping her tears of joy.
Into FIDE World Cup Semi Final
Pragganandhaa defeated his friend Arjun Egiasi in a marathon quarterfinal match, which ebbed and flowed before the teenager emerged victorious.
With the win, the teenage sensation now qualifies for the Candidates tournament. He will be the only other Indian after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand to feature in the Candidates.
First Indian AfterVishwanath Anand
The reward for the 18-year-old is a date with Fabiano Caruana in the semis – he is the first Indian after Anand in the WC last four – and at least $50,000 in prize money. But importantly, he secures a spot in the Candidates tournament in 2024, the winner of which will play China’s Ding Liren for the world crown.
The intense tiebreak drama between the two Indians exploded from the 10-min games after a set of the first two rapid games ended in draws.
Candidates tournament in Chess?
Candidates is the World Championship cycle’s last competition before the actual World Championship game. The Candidates Tournament winner will face the current world champion in the final match, making it the second-most significant tournament in the World final cycle. Since 1948, FIDE has organised the World Championship cycle, and since 1950, the Candidates Tournament. Every two years since 2013, the Candidates Tournament has been organised.
Pragganandha Reaction
Happy,” reacted Praggu after reaching the semis. “I don’t think it was easy at all…. We were just fighting and not playing well with white. Maybe it’s hard to find ideas with white. For me at least. Arjun is strong with both colours, especially with black. I was just trying to calm down and play my best. Was not thinking of Candidates but was concentrating only on the games. To lose 30 seconds without doing anything was upsetting but I managed to recover.”
ASC Priya