‘Indians cheering’: Rahul Gandhi as Praggnanandhaa enters Chess World Cup final
NEW DELHI,AUG 22: Political leaders cutting across party lines congratulated 18-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa after he stunned World Number 3 Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals of the Chess World Cup. Praggnanandhaa became the youngest to ever reach the final of the tournament.
The teenage sensation continued his dream run in the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan, as he outclassed US’ Fabiano Caruana 3.5-2.5 in a nerve-wracking tie-breaker. He will now take on World Number 1 Magnus Carlsen, a five-times title winner from Norway, in the summit clash.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi extended his best wishes to Praggnanandhaa for the summit clash against Magnus Carlsen and said that over a billion people in the country were cheering for him.
“Congratulations to R Praggnanandhaa for an outstanding FIDE Chess World Cup journey to the finals. My best wishes for the title match against Magnus Carlsen. More than a billion Indians are cheering for you,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri congratulated Praggnanandhaa and said it was a proud moment for the country as the teenager became the youngest player to reach the final of the Chess World Cup.
“India’s 18-year-old Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa creates history! Becomes the youngest player to reach the Chess World Cup final. Truly, a proud moment for India. Heartiest Congratulations! Now for the big match,” the minister tweeted.
BJP leader Tejasvi Surva described Praggnanandhaa’s victory as stunning and extended his wishes for the final.
“Congratulations to Grand Master #Praggnanandhaa for making it to the final of the #FIDEWorldCup. A stunning victory for him over world number 3 Fabiano Caruana in tie-breaks sets the stage for an epic showdown against Magnus Carlsen for the championship. All the best, Champ!” he wrote on X.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi congratulated the Indian Grandmaster and wished him all the best for the summit clash.
“Congratulations to R Praggnanandhaa for making it to the finals of the FIDE Chess World Cup. Best wishes for the big match ahead,” she said.
Chess legend and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand heaped praise on Praggnanandhaa and was awestruck by his rich vein of form in the Chess World Cup.
“Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now. What a performance!” he wrote on X.
Before securing a final berth with Magnus Carlsen, Praggnanandhaa became the second Indian after Viswanathan Anand to reach the semifinals of the FIDE World Cup chess tournament.
The 18-year-old Indian prodigy is now the third youngest player after the legendary Bobby Fischer and Magnus Carlsen to qualify for the Candidates tournament.
The top three finishers in the tournament will qualify for the Candidates event in 2024 to determine the challenger to current world champion Ding Liren of China.
-PTI
