In a gripping finale, Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa secured the runner-up position in the 2023 Chess World Cup, following a hard-fought match against the Norwegian World No. 1 and five-time world champion, Magnus Carlsen. The championship clash had reached an impasse, leading to tie-breakers after the initial classical games resulted in draws on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Carlsen, a seasoned champion, clinched the first game on Thursday, prompting Praggnanandhaa to agree to a draw in the second, ultimately granting Carlsen yet another addition to his illustrious collection of titles.
The journey of Praggnanandhaa to the finals has captured global attention. At just 18 years old, the Indian Grandmaster showcased remarkable prowess, triumphing over world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and No. 3 Fabio Caruana en route to the championship match.
Among those extending their congratulations on Thursday was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who conveyed his pride in Praggnanandhaa's exceptional performance at the FIDE World Cup. The Prime Minister's X account resonated with warm wishes for the young Grandmaster's future endeavors.
For Magnus Carlsen, an undisputed titan of the sport for over a decade, this victory marked a significant milestone as he secured his inaugural World Cup title. The second tie-break game, employing a time control of 25 minutes plus a 10-second increment, culminated in a draw after 22 moves. Carlsen, leveraging his unparalleled end-game skills, exhibited a prudent approach in the tie-break after having claimed victory in the first Rapid Chess encounter.
Following an intense opening game, the subsequent match was a less eventful affair, with Praggnanandhaa conceding ground rapidly and eventually consenting to a draw. This outcome rendered Blitz's play unnecessary. The classical games held on Tuesday and Wednesday had ended in a deadlock, necessitating the tie-breaker format.
Carlsen's triumph held even greater significance due to the challenges he had faced—food poisoning had left him indisposed, and he had displayed less than his usual prowess in the first classical game. However, his unparalleled resilience shone through in the tie-breakers, exemplifying why he remains a formidable opponent to overcome.
In the opening tie-break game, Carlsen managed to overcome the formidable challenge posed by his 18-year-old Indian adversary, securing victory after 45 moves. Subsequently, he adeptly navigated the complications arising from Praggnanandhaa's enterprising play, eventually gaining the upper hand. As the tides of fortune swayed back and forth, the Indian Grandmaster found himself succumbing to time pressure in the first Rapid Chess encounter, ultimately conceding the point to Carlsen.
The gripping battle between these two chess luminaries not only enthralled fans of the game but also highlighted the extraordinary talent and competitive spirit that defines the world of professional chess
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 "This is no small feat': PM Modi hails Praggnanandhaa after runner-up finish in Chess World Cup 2023")
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