R Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Over Magnus Carlsen Again at Norway Chess

Praggnanandhaa's Inspiring Victory

R Praggnanandhaa has consistently expressed that competing against Magnus Carlsen motivates him rather than intimidates, a sentiment reflected in his recent performance at Norway Chess where he secured his second consecutive victory over the reigning world champion.

The 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster achieved a remarkable feat on Tuesday, marking Carlsen's second classical loss in this year's tournament and propelling Praggnanandhaa closer to a historic title that no Indian has previously attained.

After the match, Praggnanandhaa remarked, "Winning against him in any format is significant, but achieving this at this stage of the tournament is crucial, especially in classical where three points are at stake." His win brought him to 12 points, placing him third behind Wesley So (14) and Alireza Firouzja from France (13).

This victory also marked Praggnanandhaa's third classical win against Carlsen, a notable achievement at such a high level, following his earlier triumph with the white pieces last week and now replicating it with black on Tuesday, showcasing his increasing prowess in their encounters.

Discussing the importance of defeating the 'virtually unbeatable' Carlsen for a third time and twice in the same tournament, Praggnanandhaa emphasized that he never feels intimidated.

"I wouldn't say I felt intimidated. I always feel more excited playing him. That always brings out my best. I don’t think his presence affects me. We’ve had many competitive games, and I truly enjoy playing against him," he stated.

This victory awarded Praggnanandhaa a full three points in Round 8, significantly impacting Carlsen's title defense, leaving the seven-time champion with only nine points and making an eighth Norway Chess title unlikely.

Praggnanandhaa noted that he was the one taking more risks during the intense match, which was influenced by the pressure of the tournament.

"Today, it was more me who took the risk. The situation called for a fight. Even Magnus would have aimed to compete. We both want to win, so we often create opportunities from challenging positions," he explained.

He acknowledged that both players displayed high-caliber chess, even as the momentum shifted throughout the game.

"At one point, I felt very optimistic, but towards the end, I thought it might end in a draw. Then a blunder occurred. This can happen when you defend for an extended period and are also pressed for time," he added.

When asked about the notion of a generational shift in chess, Praggnanandhaa rejected the idea of a 'changing of the guard,' asserting that the new generation is already competing at the highest levels.

"We are already there. We are among the best players. I don’t believe there is a change of guard. Such claims are often exaggerated. We are just top players like the others," he stated.

He highlighted the ongoing strength of established players like Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura while also pointing out the achievements of his own generation.

"If you look at Fabi and Hikaru, they are still performing at the top. But our generation has also achieved significant victories—there's a world champion, a challenger, a World Cup winner, and other major titles," Praggnanandhaa noted.

Regarding whether Carlsen's dominance is waning, Praggnanandhaa asserted that a few tournament losses do not warrant drastic conclusions, emphasizing that such results do not diminish a player of Carlsen's caliber.

"That’s too far-fetched. He has won nearly everything he’s participated in over the past year. One tournament or a few moments don’t alter that. He remains the best," he concluded.