In a dramatic turn of events at the WR Chess Masters in London, young Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa achieved a remarkable victory over his mentor and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.
The quarter-final match, their first over-the-board encounter since 2018, saw two intense classical games end in draws before Praggnanandhaa clinched victory in the Armageddon tiebreaker.
Praggnanandhaa beats mentor Anand in WR Chess Masters
The clash between mentor and protégé was highly anticipated, with Anand, who is semi-retired, facing off against the rising star he has long supported. Both classical games were hard-fought, with Anand having opportunities as Black in the first game, while Praggnanandhaa held his own as White in the second. The Armageddon game proved decisive, with Praggnanandhaa outmaneuvering Anand in a must-win situation.
Pragg vs Arjun Erigasi
However, Praggnanandhaa’s tournament run was halted in the semi-finals by fellow Indian player Arjun Erigaisi. Erigaisi secured a comfortable 1.5-0.5 victory, winning the first game with White and drawing the second. The semi-final showcased aggressive play from both young Indians, with Erigaisi ultimately prevailing under pressure.
Erigaisi will face Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the final after the latter defeated Ali Firoujza in the other semi-final match.
Chess Olympiad Champions
This tournament further cements the rising status of young Indian chess players on the global stage. Both Erigaisi and Praggnanandhaa were part of the Indian team that recently won the Chess Olympiad. Erigaisi currently ranks as India’s top player at world No. 3, while another young Indian star, Gukesh, sits at No. 5 and is set to compete for the World Championship against China’s Ding Liren in November.
The performances of these young players at the WR Chess Masters underscore India’s growing prominence in international chess, with a new generation of talent making their mark alongside established legends like Anand.
