Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa defeated compatriot Arjun Erigaisi 5-4 by way of the sudden loss of life tie-break to enter the semifinals of the FIDE World Cup chess match right here on Thursday.
With the win, the 17-year outdated Praggnanandhaa booked a spot within the semifinals in opposition to American ace Fabiano Caruana and virtually secured a spot in subsequent yr’s Candidates occasion.
The teenaged chess star from Chennai, by nearly securing a spot within the Candidates match, can be the one different Indian aside from five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand to function within the Candidates.
With world No.1 Magnus Carlsen not more likely to function within the Candidates, Praggnanandhaa may very well be taking part in within the match to resolve the challenger to present world champion Ding Liren.
Praggnanandhaa had bounced again after shedding the primary recreation of the two-game classical collection to win the second on Wednesday to drive the tie-break.
Within the first 5+3 blitz recreation, Praggnanandhaa performed incredible to take down Erigaisi.
Erigaisi hit again within the subsequent to degree the match.
Video games three and 4 have been gained by Praggnanandhaa and Erigaisi respectively because the quarterfinal headed to a sudden loss of life decider. Apparently, all video games have been gained by gamers with black items.
Each the Indians confirmed nerves of metal, scoring wins in essential video games because the final eight conflict ebbed and flowed because of enterprising play by the duo.
Famous coach R B Ramesh mentioned on X (previously Twitter) after the match: “What an epic match! Effectively performed each younger lions! Happy with each gamers for his or her preventing spirit all through! @rpragchess @ArjunErigaisi.” Two different Indians — 17-year outdated D Gukesh and Vidit Santosh Gujrathi — had crashed out within the quarterfinals, shedding to world No.1 Carlsen and Nijat Abasov respectively.
The highest three finishers within the match qualify for the Candidates occasion in 2024 to find out the challenger to Ding Liren.