'Praggnanandhaa after second draw with Magnus Carlsen in FIDE Chess World Cup final'

Indian chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa prepares to face Magnus Carlsen in the FIDE World Cup final after a draw.

Indian chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa expressed his determination to approach the final match of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) World Cup against world number one Magnus Carlsen with a fresh mindset. Praggnanandhaa acknowledged the need for rest as he had been playing numerous tiebreaks leading up to the final.

The second game of Classical Chess at the FIDE World Cup final between Praggnanandhaa and Carlsen ended in a draw, setting the stage for the ultimate decision on Thursday to determine the tournament's winner.

Praggnanandhaa revealed his surprise at Carlsen's decision to opt for a quick draw, realizing that his opponent was aiming for a draw. Despite feeling exhausted, Praggnanandhaa accepted the draw and expressed his intention to give his all in the upcoming match before enjoying a well-deserved rest.

Regarding Carlsen's condition, Praggnanandhaa did not sense any significant lack of energy or illness. However, he expressed hopes for Carlsen's recovery before their next encounter.

Carlsen had previously mentioned suffering from food poisoning after his semifinal victory, which affected his preparation for the final match against Praggnanandhaa. Despite the challenges, Carlsen acknowledged the advantage of having a rest day and expressed satisfaction with his performance in the opening phase.

Looking ahead, Praggnanandhaa emphasized the importance of approaching the next match with a fresh mind and the need for rest. He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of tiebreaks and expressed his readiness for any outcome.

Both grandmasters continued their play in the second classical game, with Carlsen having the white pieces. Following Praggnanandhaa's victory over Fabiano Caruana in tiebreaks, he advanced to the final to face Carlsen.

As the classical chess games resulted in a tie, a playoff is scheduled for Thursday. The tiebreak procedure will involve two rapid games, with a time control of 25 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move. If further resolution is needed, two 'slow blitz' games will follow, with a time control of 10 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move.

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