The world is keenly watching R. Praggnanandhaa’s face-off with Magnus Carlsen within the closing of the FIDE Chess World Cup at the moment on in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Up to now, the ultimate has gone the way in which the 18-year-old Indian grandmaster wished it to. The primary recreation was a 35-move comfy draw for Praggu, as he’s fondly referred to as by all. Removed from being troubled, Praggnanandhaa acknowledged he was comfy within the first one, however the second recreation, he predicts, may nicely be a struggle.
Eventual outcome however, Pragnanadhaa’s efficiency has impressed every person.
Former world champion and legend Gary Kasparov could also be busy with political actions again in Russia however he has been keenly following the Chess World Cup too. On Praggnanandhaa’s march to the ultimate, Kasparov tweeted: “Congrats to @rpragchess —and to his mom. As somebody whose proud mama accompanied me to each occasion, it is a particular sort of help! The Chennai Indian defeated two New York Cowboys! He has been very tenacious in tough positions.”
Praggnanandhaa’s matter-of-fact response to enjoying within the finals with an “I did not actually count on to play Magnus on this event as a result of the one manner I may have performed him was within the finals!” was as modest and self-effacing because it may ever be. His coach R B Ramesh too underplayed his march to his maiden closing within the Chess World Cup.
Talking to THE WEEK from Finland, Ramesh mentioned he and Praggnanandhaa did not count on to get to the finals this time, what with having to face stronger gamers like world quantity 3 Fabiano Caruana within the semifinal and world quantity 2 Hikaru Nakamura final Thursday.
Ramesh was brutally sincere about his expectations from his ward. Although he’s not close to Praggnanandhaa throughout this prestigious event, Ramesh says {the teenager} is completely able to dealing with the stress and what comes with the territory. Excerpts :
Q) Did you count on Praggnanandhaa to go this far within the WC?
No, we didn’t count on him to go all the way in which to the ultimate. He needed to beat a few sturdy gamers on the way in which. Making ready for 2 very sturdy opponents could be dangerous.
Q) Are you able to give an perception into the sort of preparation that went into this event?
Our preparations had been primarily for particular matches. Good to see him resolve his strategy. Wholesome competitors could be mutually helpful for gamers. An excessive amount of competitiveness and the urge to upscore can result in jealousy. A participant could be left behind consumed by these feelings. Praggu doing nicely right here means others will feed off his success.
Q) How do you and Praggnanandhaa deal with expectations?
He has risen manifold in others’ minds. He’s insulated throughout occasions, he doesn’t learn or examine his examine social media however concentrates on his stuff.
Q) What has been the important thing to him dealing with stress in large tournaments just like the world cup? In any case, he’s simply 18 years outdated.
I feel he’s okay. He’s knowledgeable chess participant completely able to dealing with what comes with the territory.
