Azerbaijan: The 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster, R Praggnanandhaa, kept the pressure on world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the first game of the Chess World Cup final on Tuesday. The game was a draw, but Praggnanandhaa showed that he is not afraid to take on the world champion and that he is capable of playing at the highest level.
Praggnanandhaa started the game with the Sicilian Defense, a sharp opening that he has used to good effect in the past. Carlsen responded with the Najdorf Variation, a complex line that has been played by many of the world’s top players.
The game quickly became a tense affair, with both players fighting for every advantage. Praggnanandhaa played with confidence and aggression, and he was able to create some dangerous positions. However, Carlsen was always able to find a way to defend, and the game eventually petered out into a draw.
Despite the draw, Praggnanandhaa will be pleased with his performance. He showed that he is not afraid to take on Carlsen, and he was able to create some winning chances. The second game of the final will be played on Wednesday, and Praggnanandhaa will be looking to build on his momentum and take the lead in the match.
The Chess World Cup final is a best-of-12 match, so there is still a long way to go. However, Praggnanandhaa has shown that he is capable of beating Carlsen, and he will be confident of winning the title.
The match is being played in Baku, Azerbaijan, and it is being streamed live on the internet. The second game will start at 15:00 UTC on Wednesday, August 23.