During the Airthings Masters, the 16-year-old Indian sensation Rameshbabu 'Pragg' Praggnanandhaa pulled off a stunning victory over World Champion Magnus Carlsen, concluding the game in 39 moves. Not only was this his first win against the Norwegian, but it also made him the youngest player to defeat Carlsen since 2013. This achievement drew high praise from AICF Secretary Bharat Singh Chauhan, who lauded the youngster for toppling the world number one.
Bharat Singh Chauhan, Secretary of the AICF, mentioned that Pragg's victory over Carlsen in the eighth round of the Airthings Masters came as no surprise. He described the teenager as a highly dynamic player with a deep understanding of tactics. According to Chauhan, Pragg's consistency in international events is outstanding, and his overall approach to the game is nothing short of extraordinary.
Despite entering the Airthings tournament as one of the lowest-seeded players, the young Indian put on a masterclass to defeat Carlsen. Chauhan pointed out that Pragg is driven by a desire to win and doesn't let the reputation of his opponents intimidate him, a trait evident in his strong performances against the world's top players.
Chauhan expressed his optimism for a new generation of players, including Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Gukesh, and Erigaisi Arjun, hoping for more success from these youngsters. He shared his pride in their international achievements, noting that Pragg specifically possesses a tenacious fighting spirit and a keen grasp of the game's dynamic nature.
To prove that his victory over the World Champion wasn't just a fluke, Praggnanandhaa went on to secure two more wins. The young Grandmaster continued his momentum in the online rapid competition, defeating Andrey Esipenko in round 10 and Alexandra Kosteniuk in round 12.
Pragg's triumph over Carlsen felt like a poetic bit of revenge for India, recalling how the Norwegian had overtaken the legendary Viswanathan Anand for the World Championship title back in 2013. With this win, Pragg joins an exclusive club; he is only the third Indian, after Anand and Pentala Harikrishna, to have defeated Carlsen.
Chauhan believes Pragg will only get stronger, eventually becoming capable of beating any opponent on the planet. Having become the youngest international master in history at just 10 years old in 2016, Pragg is seen by Chauhan as a future title contender who will bring great honor to India. Even cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar reached out to congratulate the young star and wish him a flourishing career.