FTX Crypto Cup: R Praggnanandhaa Wins Final Round But Loses Out On Top Prize

By OB Bureau On Aug 22, 2022

New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa won three straight games including two in the blitz tie-breaks to outwit world No.1 Magnus Carlsen 4-2 in the final round of the FTX Crypto Cup on Monday. However, despite the win, over Carlsen, the 17-year-old could only take second place in the final standings. The Norwegian won the top prize on the basis of a higher score. He finished with 16 match points to the Indian prodigy’s tally of 15, news agency PTI reported.

“I’ve been playing badly all day, but now I’m getting the results I deserve… it’s never good to lose, but this is as good a time as any!,” Carlsen said after the match.

Alireza Firouzja, another highly-rated teen and a prodigy, also finished on 15 points but had to settle for third place as he had lost the clash against Praggnanandhaa earlier. The first two games of the Carlsen-Praggnanandhaa match were drawn before the world No.1 went ahead by clinching the third.

In a surprise turn of events, the Indian won the fourth game to push the match into the tie-breaks. He shocked the Norwegian by winning both the games in the tie-break, the report added.

“I think it could have done better the last few days but I think overall 2nd is good,” Praggnanandhaa was quoted as saying after the game against Carlsen.