Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa triumphed over world champion D Gukesh in a thrilling tiebreaker to claim his first Tata Steel Masters title, overcoming both fatigue and nerves. At just 19, Praggnanandhaa became the first Indian since Viswanathan Anand in 2006 to win the prestigious title.
Anand, who has won the title five times, congratulated the young star for his resilience, especially after losing the first game in the tiebreaker. In his playful post, Anand added, “Mere pass panch hai… IYKYK!” referring to his own impressive legacy. He also praised Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable defense after a difficult match, reflecting on the tense final day where both title contenders were pushed to the limit.