FTX Crypto Cup: 17-year-old Pragnanda Beats World Champion

FTX Crypto Cup: 17-year-old Pragnanda beats World Champion Carlsen for the third time in 6 months.

17-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Pragnanda (Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa) defeated five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen in the ongoing FTX Crypto Cup in Miami.

Pragananda has defeated world champion, Carlsen, for the third time in 6 months.

The score was tied 2-2 at the end of the regulation game. Pragananda then defeated Carlsen in a blitz tiebreak.

However, despite this victory, Carlsen won the FTX Crypto Cup title due to more points. Pragnanda finished second.

Pragnanda won three consecutive games from Carlsen, including two in a tiebreak. The first two games between Carlsen and Pragnanda were draws.

The Norwegian player won the third game but the Indian player did not give up and won the fourth game and dragged the match to a tie-breaker.

After this, the Indian player surprised Carlsen by winning both the games in the tiebreaker.

Despite the victory over Carlsen, the 17-year-old from India finished second. Norway’s Carlsen won the title by scoring the most points.

He scored a total of 16 points while Pragyananand ended his campaign with 15 points.

Losing is never good: Carlsen.

Carlsen said after the match, ‘I played poorly all day, but in the end, I got the result I deserved. Losing is never good, but it’s an equally good time.’

Alireza Firoza also scored 15 points but got third place. Because Pragananda had defeated him in the tournament.

I am happy with the second place: Pragnanda.

Pragananda has been in excellent form this year and was also instrumental in helping the India B team win a bronze medal at the recently concluded Chess Olympiad in Chennai.

Pragananda said after defeating Carlsen, ‘I could have done better in the last few days but overall second place is good.’