After the two-game classical series ended 1-1, the 18-year-old Indian prodigy, R Praggnanandhaa outlasted the highly-rated American GM in a battle of wits in a nerve-wracking tie-breaker.
In the final beginning on Tuesday, Praggnanandhaa will take on five-times title winner Carlsen, who beat Azerbaijan’s Nijat Abasov 1.5-0.5 in his semifinal.
Praggnanandhaa becomes the third youngest player after the legendary Bobby Fischer and Carlsen to qualify for the Candidates tournament.
“I didn’t expect to play Magnus in this tournament at all because the only way I could play him was in the final, and I didn’t expect to be in the final. I will just try to give my best and see how it goes!,” he said after booking a spot in the summit clash.
“It feels really good to qualify for the Candidates; I really wanted to fix this spot.”
“Get more sports news, cricket news and football updates, log on to sportslounge.co.in. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter and Subscribe to YouTube Channel.”
