Chess: Pragnanananda said - did not think of reaching the World Cup final, with mother and blessings made him strong

Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa may have lost to World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway in the final of the World Cup, but for the 18-year-old chess player from Chennai, playing against Carlsen in the final is a big achievement. Pragnanananda told Amar Ujala from Baku (Azerbaijan) that the truth is that he did not think about the journey till the final. It is a big thing for him to reach the final and play against Carlsen. Praggnananda credits his success to his mother, Nagalakshmi, who has been like a shadow by his side throughout the tournament. He says that it is his mother's support and her blessings, which has given him strength in this tournament.

Praggnanandhaa dedicates this World Cup success to his mother, family and coach RB Ramesh. He points out that this is not the first time that his mother accompanied him to a tournament. She always accompanies him to foreign tournaments. During this, she takes care of his every little thing, so that he can prepare himself for the match. Pragnanananda says that he likes Indian food, especially South Indian cuisine. His mother used to feed him South Indian dishes prepared by her own hands on foreign tours.

Praggnanandhaa, who has beaten Carlsen three times in the rapid format earlier, tells about the final that he could not do well in the first game of the tiebreaker. Although he had chances and Carlsen had no chance in the second game, he had to play a draw.

Praggnanandhaa defeated world no. 2 Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana of America in this tournament, but according to him every match in this World Cup was tough, but the match played in the quarter-finals against fellow player and friend Arjun Arigesi was very difficult. Was. It was a match in which he had to be very patient.

Praggnanandhaa is also happy that four Indian players reached the quarterfinals in this tournament. He says Indian players are currently doing well in world chess. D Gukesh has even reached the top 10 in the world. He will also try to make it to the top 10 as soon as possible. Pragnanananda said about Arjun Erigey that he too has the potential to go a long way.

Praggnanandhaa says reaching the final of the World Cup and qualifying for the Candidates is a dream come true for him. It will be a challenge for him to play in the Candidates Tournament that decides who will challenge the world champion after Viswanathan Anand. This tournament is next year and he will start preparing for it from now.