WC: Praggy sets up final clash with Carlsen

Setting up a blockbuster clash with World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in the FIDE World Cup 2023 on Monday, Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa registered a memorable win over USA’s Fabiano Caruana in tiebreaks of the action-packed semi-final encounter. Praggnanandhaa outclassed Caruana by winning the semi-final 3.5-2.5 in Baku, Azerbaijan. With the epoch-making triumph over Caruana, Praggnanandhaa has also sealed his spot in the Candidates 2024. Praggnanandhaa stunned the World No.3 Caruana after the two-game classical series ended 1-1 in Baku. Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious following an entertaining tie-breaker. The Indian Grandmaster earned plaudits from chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who had nothing but praise for the 18-year-old Indian prodigy on Twitter. “Pragg goes through to the final! He beats Fabiano Caruana in the tiebreak and will face Magnus Carlsen now. What a performance!,” the chess legend said.