World No. 1 chess player by rating, Norwegian Grandmaster (GM) Magnus Carlsen (32) won the FIDE World Cup after defeating Indian prodigy GM R. Praggnanandhaa (18) in tie-breaker at Baku in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
Former world champion Carlsen clinched the title by winning the first tie-breaker game and then drawing the second one.
In the second tie-breaker, Carlsen with white pieces seemed to be in a hurry to wind up the game soon and went in for Queen exchange at the 17th move.
Soon after, the two players exchanged their bishops. At the end of the 22nd move, both players had four pawns, one rook, knight and a bishop each. The two then signed the peace treaty.
Playing with white pieces in the first game of the tie-breaker, Praggnanandhaa had an advantage in the initial stages and later maintained equality for a large part of the 47-move game.
However, the Indian player suffered a reversal from the 37th move onwards. At that point of time, the players were left with two rooks and minor pieces -- two knights for Carlsen and a knight and a light coloured bishop for Praggnanandhaa.
The Indian player was also much behind on the clock and resigned on the 47th move.
It was the maiden World Cup title for Carlsen.
Bumrah, Kuldeep included in India's squad for Champions Trophy, no place for Siraj
Fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named in India's Champions Trophy squad beginning on February 19. His inclusion, though, is subject to him being fit in time for the tournament, with chief selector Ajit Agarkar expressing optimism on his participation.
India Open 2025: Anupama reaches 2nd round, Malvika, Priyanshu go down fighting
Anupama Upadhyaya won the battle between two rising women’s singles players while Malvika Bansod and Priyanshu Rajawat put up a fight against higher-ranked opponents but ended on the losing side in the opening round of the India Open 2025 at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall here on Wednesday.