Praggnanandhaa Shocks Carlsen in Las Vegas Chess Showdown

Praggnanandhaa`s stunning victory over Carlsen electrifies the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas.

In a stunning display of skill and strategy, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa triumphed over world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen during the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas. The 39-move game, marked by an astonishing 93.9% accuracy from Praggnanandhaa, showcased his dominance across all time formats—Classical, Rapid, and Blitz—against the reigning champion. This pivotal victory propelled Praggnanandhaa to the top of the White Group with 4.5 points, edging out competitors like Sindarov and Abdusattorov on tiebreaks.

Carlsen`s journey took a tumultuous turn as he finished fourth in his group after a series of unexpected results, including losses to Praggnanandhaa and Wesley So. His elimination came in a dramatic playoff against Levon Aronian, who decisively defeated Carlsen 2-0, securing the last quarterfinal spot. The tournament, held at the opulent Wynn Las Vegas hotel ballroom, has captivated audiences with its innovative Freestyle (Chess96 format, co-founded by Carlsen himself.

The atmosphere was electric, described as "absolute theater," particularly during the high-stakes tiebreak between Aronian and Carlsen. Commentary from chess luminaries like Niemann and analysis by GM Rafael Leitao have added depth to this thrilling competition. For more insights, visit chess news and chess results.

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