Baku/Chennai: India’s R Praggnanandhaa lost to Norway’s Magnus Carlsen in the final of the Chess World Cup Final in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku on Thursday, after drawing the first two matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Despite putting up a valiant fight against the World No. 1, Praggnanandhaa lost. He had drawn the first two classical games, but in the tie-breaker, Carlsen was the more dominant player.

The 18-year-old defeated, players ranked higher than him-world no. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and no. 3 Fabiano Caruana - to become the second Indian after the great Viswanathan Anand to enter the Chess World Cup final.

With the silver medal in the World Cup, Praggnanandhaa also booked himself a seat in the FIDE Candidates tournament.

Applauses in India

Tamil Nadu Governor R.N.Ravi and Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Thursday congratulated Chennai's pride and chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa for winning the silver medal in the 2023 FIDE World Cup and said his feat resonated with the dreams of 140 crore people of India and made the country proud.

Ravi said the youngest Chess star not only won the Silver in the World Cup but also became the first Indian to reach the finals of the prestigious tournament after a gap of more than two decades.

He said the 16-year-old's entry to the FIDE Candidates Tournament are
milestones that will inspire generations to come and

In a post on X, Ravi said, "With your stunningly brilliant performances, you have won the hearts of every Indian and made the country proud."

"You are a reflection of a resurgent confident India. The country loves you immensely.- Governor Ravi," it said.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote in a post on X, "Heartfelt congratulations to Chennai’s pride, Praggnanandhaa, on your outstanding performance in the 2023 FIDE World Cup!"

"Your journey to the final, defeating world #2 Nakamura and #3Caruana, has left us all awestruck. Despite the final result, your achievement resonates with 140 crore dreams. The entire country is proud of you, Praggnanandhaa!" he added.

"Your silver medal and entry to the FIDE Candidates Tournament are milestones that will inspire generations to come," Stalin added.

PMK President and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Anbumani also congratulated the chess star for his astounding achievement.

Praggnanandhaa, after drawing the first two games in the final, playing whiteand black, went down fighting World Number Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the tie-breaker on Thursday that helped him finish with a Silver medal.