Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa Stuns Number 2 Seed Hikaru Nakamura, Enters Last 16 Of FIDE World Cup
Young GM R Praggnanandhaa on Friday won both rapid games to eliminate second-seeded Hikaru Nakamura to enter the last 16 of the FIDE World Cup chess tournament in Baku. After the two classical games ended in draws, the 18-year old Indian, who celebrated his birthday on Thursday, stunned the American GM in the tie-break games today. Five-time world champion and Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand hailed the young GM and said, "Praggnanandhaa does it! Eliminating one of the pre tournament favourites Hikaru Nakamura to go through to the next round. A truly impressive performance by Prag!" Praggu, as he is known among fans, was joined in the last 16 by fellow teenager D Gukesh, who ousted Andrey Esipenko.


