Praggnanandhaa Stuns Carlsen, Enters Freestyle Grand Slam Quarterfinals with Erigaisi

National Times Bureau, July 17: R Praggnanandhaa pulled off a stunning win against world number one Magnus Carlsen, advancing to the top-bracket quarterfinals of the USD 750,000 Freestyle Grand Slam Tour. Fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi also secured a quarterfinal spot, marking a strong showing for India in the prestigious chess event.

The 19-year-old Praggnanandhaa displayed precise tactical play from the outset, seizing the initiative and keeping the pressure on Carlsen. Despite the Norwegian getting some chances, the Indian teenager broke through with creative piece play, securing a memorable win.

Carlsen’s defeat sparked a downward spiral. He lost to Wesley So in the next round, and was eliminated from the top bracket by Levon Aronian in a decisive 2-0 tiebreak. This marks another recent upset for Carlsen, who was earlier defeated by reigning world champion D Gukesh.

The tournament features 16 players split into two groups of eight. The top four from each group advance to the top bracket, with others entering a lower bracket. Carlsen’s early exit from the top four means he can now finish no higher than third overall, even if he wins all his remaining matches.

Praggnanandhaa tied for the top spot in Group White with 4.5 points, sharing the lead with Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sandarov. Aronian followed with four points, while Carlsen finished fifth. Germany’s Vincent Keymer, Wesley So, and Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva rounded out the group.

In Group Black, Hikaru Nakamura dominated with 6 points, while Hans Niemann took second with 4.5. Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana tied for third on 4 points. Indian GM Vidit Gujrathi struggled, finishing last in the group.

Quarterfinal matchups include Praggnanandhaa facing Caruana, and Erigaisi up against Abdusattorov. Aronian takes on Nakamura, while Niemann will play Sandarov. In the lower bracket, Carlsen faces Gujrathi, Keymer meets Robson, Dominguez battles Assaubayeva, and Samuel clashes with Wesley So.