CHENNAI: Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa left 2024 behind with a tinge of disappointment. But he started the new year with a bang, toppling newly-crowned world champion and compatriot D Gukesh in tie-breakers to claim his maiden Tata Steel Chess title in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands. In doing so, he became only the second Indian to win the prestigious event, after Viswanathan Anand.
After finishing runner-up in the 2023 World Cup, the 19-year-old’s form took a hit in 2024. Pragg finished fifth at the Candidates Tournament but played a key role in India’s gold at the Budapest Chess Olympiad. However, his loss to USA’s Wesley So in the penultimate round ended India’s unbeaten run in the Open section.
