Magnus Carlsen Stunned by R Praggnanandhaa in Las Vegas
Praggnanandhaa's victory over Carlsen has significant implications for the tournament, and his joint lead in Group White with 4.5 points sets him up for a strong chance at the championship title. The young Indian Grandmaster has already had a successful year, with three tournament wins, and this latest victory solidifies his position as a top contender in the chess world.
Magnus Carlsen, the world No. 1, was defeated by 19-year-old Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas, resigning after 39 moves and securing a joint lead in Group White with 4.5 points for Praggnanandhaa.
This victory marks Praggnanandhaa's third tournament win of the year, having also defeated Carlsen in Classical, Rapid, and Blitz formats. The loss eliminated Carlsen from title contention, and he will now compete in the lower bracket. The tournament features a $500,000 prize pool, with $200,000 reserved for the winner, and Carlsen was initially the favorite to win.
The Las Vegas Freestyle Chess event has brought together top chess players, including Magnus Carlsen and Praggnanandhaa, with the top players advancing to the quarterfinals. Indian GMs R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi have secured spots in the top bracket of the Las Vegas Freestyle Grand Slam Tour, while Carlsen is out of the title race. Praggnanandhaa will face Fabiano Caruana in the top bracket, and Erigaisi will face Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
The tournament is set to continue, with the top players competing for the significant prize pool. Praggnanandhaa's win has shaken up the competition, and it remains to be seen how the rest of the tournament will unfold. With Carlsen out of the title race, the field is now open for other top players to take the lead and claim the championship title.