Former World Chess Champion Gary Kasparov Congratulates Teen Grand Master Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa
Former World Chess Champion, Gary Kasparov had posted on his X account to congratulate Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, after the teen qualified for a bout with the world’s number one, Magnus Carlsen.
Russian Gary Kasparov did this after the 18 years old knocked out Fabiano Caruana in a brain boxing contest, whereby Rameshbabu qualified for a wrestle with the known best. Speaking at his tweeter handle, the former world’s number one said, ‘Congrats to @rpragchess — and to his mother. As someone whose proud mama accompanied me to every event, it’s a special kind of support! The Chennai Indian defeated two New York cowboys! He has been very tenacious in difficult positions.’
Gary Kasparov ruled the chess kingdom for 255 months. The 60 years old is among the longest to do so.
Speaking after the victory at the game, the teen wonder disclosed he did not expect to make it to the finals, since he knew those he need to get past to be there. The last man on his way was the world’s number two, Fabiano Caruana.
‘I didn’t expect to play Magnus in this tournament at all because the only way I could play him was in the final, and I didn’t expect to be in the final. I will just try to give my best and see how it goes!’
‘It feels really good to qualify for the Candidates; I really wanted to fix this spot.’
– Praggnanandhaa.
Others that reacted to his victory include the former world champion whom Magnus overthtrew, Viswanathan Anand.
‘Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now. What a performance!’
– Anand.
R.B. Ramesh his coach was also proud and would not hide it:
‘I am extremely proud that he has been doing phenomenally well in this World Cup and he qualified for the World Cup final. And what I hear is he is the youngest to do so. And also he is the only Indian to qualify for the final.’
Susan Polgar the former champion in the women’ league also hailed the Indian hero who seems to be on his way to reclaim something once taken from his country.
‘Congratulations to GM Praggnanandhaa for reaching the 2023 World Cup final to face Magnus! He defeated world #2 Fabiano in the playoff to earn the coveted spot! He also defeated world #3 Hikaru earlier!’
The first game between Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen ended in a draw. It seems a tie-breaker of speed chess is in the horizon. By the bagging of these victories, the teen has secured a place for himself as a participant in the race for being the world’s number one that would likely take place next year. Since Carlsen has decided not to defend his title, and Nepomniachtchi the Russian had lost to Ding Liren, any contender that makes it to next year’s finals would face China’s best player, the world champion, Ding Liren.