R Praggnanandhaa Goes Down Fighting As Magnus Carlsen Wins First World Cup Title

Indian prodigy R Praggnanandhaa could not pull off a repeat of his giant-killing acts of the last few days as fancied Magnus Carlsen beat him 1.5-0.5 in the tie-break to win the FIDE World Cup in Baku, Azerbaijan on Thursday. Praggnanandhaa's dream run in the tournament ended at the hands of the world No. 1 after the classical games ended in a stalemate. For the five-time World Championship winner and Norwegian superstar Carlsen, who has been at the top of the sport for over a decade now, this was his first-ever World Cup title.

The second 25+10 tie-break game ended in a draw in 22 moves as Carlsen played it safe after he had won the first one, displaying his superior end-game skills.

After a keenly contested first game, the second game was a rather tame affair with Praggnanandhaa falling behind quickly and agreeing to a draw.

The two classical games on Tuesday and Wednesday had ended in draws, forcing the final into a tie-break.

Carlsen, who had been under the weather due to food poisoning and did not look at his best in the first classical game, showed why he is so tough to get past with his remarkable comeback in the tie-break.

He overcame a stiff challenge from his 18-year-old Indian opponent in the first tie-break game, winning it in 45 moves. Carlsen then saw off the problems he encountered due to Praggnanandhaa's enterprising play in the middle to turn the tables on the Indian and seize the advantage.

As fortunes swung from one side to other, the Indian surrendered the point after coming under time pressure in the first rapid game.

Carlsen won game 1 in 45 moves and made full use of the advantage of playing with white pieces in the second game.

Praggnanandhaa, playing with white in the day's first game, made the