16-Year-Old Chess Prodigy ‘Pragg’ Defeats World Champion Magnus Carlsen

When 16-year-old Rameshbabu "Pragg" Praggnanandhaa made the inaugural move during a FIDE Chess World Championship game, many pointed out that he could be a future candidate in the tournament. However, Pragg stunned fans when he beat Magnus Carlsen on Sunday, just months later. 

The chess prodigy set impressive records at the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour 2022. Pragg became the third Indian grandmaster to beat Magnus Carlsen after Vishy Anand and Pentala Harikrishna. 

Pragg made the first move of Game 9 at the FIDE World Chess Championship / Photo Credit: Maria Emilianova

But how did he achieve such a huge feat? Well, Pragg managed it gracefully in just 39 moves. The whole game is even more incredible considering that he was playing with the Black pieces at an elite level, notoriously at a disadvantage for moving second.

The game changed drastically at the 32nd move when Carlsen moved his knight. Chess commentators have since viewed this move as an error! However, Pragg noticed the move and quickened his pace. In just seven more moves, Magnus resigned.

Many Indian chess stars have expressed their enthusiasm for Pragg's win. Even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said,

"We are all rejoicing on the success of the young genius R Praggnanandhaa. Proud of his accomplishment of winning against the noted champion Magnus Carlsen. I wish the talented Praggnanandhaa the very best for his future endeavours."

Sachin Tendulkar, considered one of India's best cricket players in history, described Pragg's game as "magical".

Pragg with FunMasterMike at Chennai airport

After a historic game, Pragg said he was heading to bed. And if there hasn't been a more well-deserved rest, it's undoubtedly after winning a chess game against Magnus Carlsen himself.