The Chess World Cup last between Indian teenager R Praggnanandhaa and world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen went into the tie-breakers after the second sport of the title conflict resulted in a draw on Wednesday. On Tuesday, the primary sport additionally resulted in a draw. The second sport completed fairly rapidly as after solely 30 strikes the gamers determined to shake arms. The champion might be determined through two tie-breaks on Thursday.

Five-time world champion Carlsen performed a stable sport with white items towards Praggnanandhaa. However, the Indian didn’t face any hassle with black items. Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand predicted on social media that Carlsen could be enjoying for a draw.

Wow, didn’t anticipate this opening! Is Magnus repeating his sport 12 technique of 2016 and aiming for a tiebreak?@FIDE_chess #FIDEWorldCup2023

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 23, 2023

Even the commentators of the match, stated through the preliminary couple of minutes of the match that as a result of Carlsen was battling with meals poisoning was not in the fitting body of well being he could be enjoying for a draw, which might take the ultimate to the third day. Thus giving the Norwegian nice some precious time to get well.

Praggnanandhaa was forward on time initially of the competition, however was unable to press house the benefit. He himself got here below time by the tip of the competition. The first sport on Tuesday had resulted in a stalemate after over 4 hours of play and 70-plus strikes, following which Carlsen stated he was a bit below the climate.

Speaking after the sport, Praggnanandhaa stated, “I didn’t really think that he would go for a quick draw today, but I realised when he went for this line that he wanted to make a draw; I was also fine with that. I also feel exhausted, as I said in the previous interviews. Now I can just give everything tomorrow and relax after that.”

To a query if he realised that Carlsen was below the climate through the first sport, the Indian participant stated, “Yeah. It didn’t feel like he had a lot of energy. I felt that. I didn’t think he was unwell. I hope he recovers tomorrow.”

Asked if he would recommend to the organisers of the World Cup in future for an additional relaxation day earlier than the ultimate, he stated, “Yeah, if it is there. It would be good.”

About the media consideration he was getting, the Indian star stated, “I am definitely getting used to this. It is good to see so many people following chess. Chess is definitely getting popular, that way I am very happy.”

The 18-year-old Praggnanandhaa has been having fun with an unimaginable run within the event, having already crushed world No.2 Hikaru Nakamura and world No.3 Fabiano Caruana to arrange a last date towards the Norwegian Grandmaster.

The leads to the continued event additionally helped Praggnanandhaa qualify for Candidates 2024 event, which might be held in Canada. Praggnanandhaa, thus, turned the third youngest participant after the legendary Bobby Fischer and Carlsen to qualify for the Candidates event.

After the sport, Carlsen stated, “Praggnanandhaa has already played a lot of tie-breaks against very strong players… I know he is very strong. If I have some energy, if I have a good day, obviously I will have good chances. I am very grateful to the organisers, FIDE and the doctors and nurses, who got me some good treatment. Today, I am feeling a bit better but I still didn’t feel like I had the energy for a full fight, so I thought, let’s get one more day of rest.

“Hopefully, I’ll have extra power tomorrow,” the Norwegian world No.1 added.

The two tie-break games in rapid format will be played with a time control of 25 minutes for each player plus 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.

If those two games also fail to throw a winner, two more games with time control of 5 minutes for each player will be played. There will be 3 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.

Praggnanandhaa is only the second Indian after the legendary Viswanathan Anand to reach the World Cup final.

With PTI inputs