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

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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.

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.