Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa produced a sensational result at the WR Chess Masters in London on Tuesday, beating his mentor and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Meeting over the board for the first time since 2018, Praggnanandhaa and Anand played out two marathon classical games, each of which ended in a draw in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
The quarter-final tie headed to Armageddon, in which Praggnanandhaa triumphed over his mentor and booked a place in the semi-finals. However, Praggnanandhanaa lost to another compatriot, Arjun Erigaisi, in the semi-final of the WR Chess Masters.
The first of the two all-Indian clashes was a momentous occasion as Viswanathan Anand, who is semi-retired, faced up against Pragg, whom he supports and mentors.
The clash began with two intense classical games, both ending in hard-fought draws. Anand, equipped with Black pieces in the first game, had opportunities to seize the advantage. However, Praggnanandhaa showcased remarkable resilience, successfully neutralising any threats. In the second game, Anand shifted to defence, countering Praggnanandhaa's advances adeptly. Thus, the match proceeded to the Armageddon, a high-stakes game with Praggnanandhaa in a must-win scenario.
It was in the Armageddon that Praggnanandhaa shone, outwitting his mentor in the dying moments of the game. Anand, playing as Black, needed only a draw to advance, but the young star denied him.
In the semi-final, Praggnanandhaa was comfortably outclassed by Arjun Erigaisi who won the opening game and drawing the second one to clinch a 1.5-0.5 win.
Praggnanandhaa was beaten by Arjun, who played with white pieces. The first game of the semi-final was filled with chaos as both Arjun and Pragg wanted to be offensive. Arjun thrived in the end, putting pressure on Pragg, who eventually wilted.
In the second game, Praggnanandhaa, who needed nothing less than a win, went all-out aggressive. But Arjun used all his expertise to secure a draw and progress to the final.
Arjun will take on Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the final of the WR Chess Masters. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave defeated Ali Firoujza in the other semi-final.
Arjun and Praggnanandhaa's run to the final rounds of WR Chess Masters only adds to the growing reputation of the youngsters from India. Both Arjun and Pragg were part of the Indian team that won the Chess Olympiad last month.
Arjun is India's highest-ranked player at No. 3 while Gukesh, who won the Gold medal in the top board at the Olympiad, is at No. 5. Gukesh will compete for the World Championship crown against China's Ding Liren in November.
