Philippines, 31 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


World Cup Game 1: Praggnanadhaa Holds Carlsen to Fighting Draw


PhilBoxing.com




Indian wonder boy Rameshbabu Praggnanadhaa held world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway to a fighting draw in Game One of the FIDE World Cup Tuesday in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Game Two was being played as of press time with the 32-year-old Carlsen handling the white pieces against the timid-looking Praggnanadhaa, 18, even as local spectators were cheering for Nijat Abasov, who upset world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana in their battle for third place.

Abasov, the 69th seed Azeri, needed only 26 moves to hand Caruana his first ever defeat in classical chess time controls in the biennial event which started with 206 participants and qualifiers. The list included three Filipinos—Wesley So, now playing for the US, and New York-based Mark Paragua and WGM Janelle Frayna in the distaff side.

Caruana, holder of the third highest Elo rating in history at 2844, and currently world No. 2, blundered on the 23rd move of a Catalan game and needs to win at all costs with white to even the score. A draw gives Abasov a ticket to the Candidates matches as well as $60,000, probably his biggest paycheck yet.

Great fortune in big time chess awaits the 28-year-old Abasov, who qualified in the European championships after years of being a journeyman. Praggnanadhaa, who also took the long route of qualifying by emerging No. 1 in the 2022 Asian championships, is emerging to become one of India’s finest young crop of players.

India’s former world champion Viswanathan Anand, who also comes from the same region of Tamil Nadu, cheered on in cyberspace, wishing the young lad more perseverance in trying to beat the highest rated chesser in history and five-time classical chess world champion, seeking to win his first ever FIDE World Cup.

The 31st seed Indian genius, who started with a 2690 rating, has risen to world No. 23 from his original 48th rank and now has an Elo of 2725. Ranged against Carlsen, who has a daunting 2835 rating, Praggnanandhaa was fearless in playing the English opening, showing his deep knowledge of the opening theory.

One of the youngest in history to ever become a grandmaster at 12, Pragg exchanged complex tactical moves against Carlsen, who like him was a wunderkind, becoming a grandmaster at 14.

Both man and boy never got a substantial advantage throughout the game as forced exchanges led to an endgame of three pawns, a rook and a knight on both sides of the kindside when the draw was agreed on the 36th move.

Praggnanandhaa is already assured of a slot in the Candidates tournament slated in April 2024 in Toronto, Canada. Carlsen, who might once again be dismissing the idea of vying for the title of classical world champion, is hoping not to become Big Fish No. 3, as Praggnanandhaa has beaten erstwhile world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura of the USA and Caruana, among others.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Winchell Campos.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 5 - ALI VS. FOREMAN IN RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Raquinel and Zulueta Crowned ABF Champions in Bacolod City Homecoming
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • GMs Quizon, Antonio, Laylo Vying in 4th Edition Eduardo B. Basilonia Invitational Open Rapid Chess Tilt in Roxas City, Capiz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • New York Stays Alive, Foils Indiana, 111-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • PLANT VS. RESENDIZ & CHARLO VS. LAMANNA FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Álvarez vs. Crawford: "Champions of Champions"
    By Gary Todd, , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LAS VEGAS: MELIKUZIEV - 166.8 LBS., FULGHUM - 167.6 LBS.
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Former Champion Jaime Munguía Notified of Possible Failed Drug Test
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • WEIGHTS AND PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FOR MANUEL GALLEGOS VS. KHALIL COE REMATCH IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • Championship Summer: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas to Battle Mexico’s Jorge Garcia for WBO Jr. Middleweight Crown July 26 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden LIVE on ESPN
    , Fri, 30 May 2025
  • José Sulaimán Honored as New Gym Inaugurated in México State
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Approval of 17 new applications sees membership of World Boxing surpass100 National Federations
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • SBA Scouting Tour Kicks Off in Cagayan de Oro
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Sampson Boxing Signs Openly Gay South American Boxer Oscar Bonifacino to Promotional Contract
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • OK-C you in the Finals Soon, Indy or NY; Thunder Oust Minnesota in Five, 124-94
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Remembering Don José Sulaimàn
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Manalo’s son Dylan secures victory
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Manny’s induction to proceed
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Hall of Fame Boxing Promoter Don King Wins $1.1 Million Purse Bid To Promote WBA Regular Heavyweight World Champion Kubrat Pulev Facing No. 2 Contender Michael Hunter On August 23
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Super middleweight division to open up, Darius Fulghum plans to make his move
    , Thu, 29 May 2025
  • Boxing News Roundup: Tragedy, Comebacks, and Controversies Rock the Ring
    , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Indiana Pushes New York on the Edge, Wins Game Four, 130-121 for 3-1 Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Former Japanese World Champion Ginjiro Shigeoka Retires After Brain Surgery
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • Certeza Leads Antipolo Speedcubing Winners
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 28 May 2025
  • CATTERALL VS. EUBANK + UNDERCARD LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Wed, 28 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.