20-year-old Indian prodigy wins Norway Chess tournament; Carlsen, Gukesh falter

Indian chess prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa secured an astonishing victory at the Norway Chess tournament, defying expectations after a shaky start. The 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster staged a remarkable comeback, winning all his subsequent matches after suffering two consecutive losses in rounds 5 and 6, which had relegated him to the bottom of the standings.

Praggnanandhaa's winning streak began with a victory over Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja. He then went on to defeat formidable opponents, including former World Champion Magnus Carlsen and reigning World Champion Gukesh D. This impressive run propelled him back into contention for the title.

Entering the final round, Praggnanandhaa was in second place, trailing American Grandmaster Wesley So by half a point. In a dramatic Armageddon tie-break, So secured a win to reach 17 points. However, Praggnanandhaa's exceptional performance, winning two games to accumulate 18 points, allowed him to overtake So at the last moment and claim the championship.

The tournament was marked by several upsets, with both Carlsen and Gukesh failing to perform at their usual high standards. Carlsen defeated Gukesh in their final-round match, but the result did little to salvage their overall tournament performance. Gukesh's recent dip in form has raised concerns among fans about his ability to maintain his world champion status, especially with upcoming matches against challengers like Dommaraju Gukesh.

Praggnanandhaa's unexpected triumph highlights his resilience and fighting spirit, showcasing his potential as a future force in the chess world.