PM Modi meets Chess Podigy R Praggnanandhaa

On Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a meeting with the young chess sensation R Praggnanandhaa, who recently made history by securing the silver medal in the FIDE World Cup. The Prime Minister shared details of their encounter on his official social media account.

In an exciting match that took place on August 24th, Magnus Carlsen, the reigning World No. 1, emerged victorious at the International Chess Federation World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan. Carlsen's exceptional skill was on full display as he won the first game of the Rapid Chess tie-breaker with the black pieces, securing the title.

The second game ended in a thrilling draw, showcasing Carlsen's expertise in the faster-paced format. Praggnanandhaa fought valiantly throughout the contest but ultimately couldn't overcome Carlsen's extensive experience in high-stakes matches. Their earlier encounters in Classical Chess had resulted in a series of draws, adding to the anticipation surrounding their final showdown.

Despite finishing as the runner-up in the 2023 FIDE World Cup, Praggnanandhaa can find comfort in his qualification for the upcoming FIDE Candidates tournament. Looking ahead, all eyes are on the Candidates tournament, an elite eight-player chess event scheduled to take place from April 2 to April 25, 2024, in the picturesque city of Toronto, Canada. The winner of this prestigious tournament will earn the opportunity to challenge for the coveted title in the 2024 World Chess Championship match.

Praggnanandhaa's remarkable performance in the World Cup, which included a notable victory over World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and a successful journey to the finals by defeating World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana, highlights his immense potential in the world of chess.