‘Can purchase one thing for Arjun Erigaisi’: Praggnanandhaa’s cheeky comment after beating Gukesh to win Tata Chess title

Praggnanandhaa labelled the title win because the “spotlight of his younger profession”. He mentioned: “Once I got here right here, I wished to win the occasion. However the subject was very robust. I didn’t actually give it some thought a lot till yesterday. Can’t actually categorical… I’m actually pleased.”

The 19-year-old additionally in contrast the tense Sunday finale in Netherlands to that of the sudden loss of life battle he confronted in opposition to Erigaisi a couple of years again. “That sport was additionally insane, we went to sudden loss of life like right here right this moment. After which I managed to win. However right this moment is extra particular, as a result of I received the match. Positively most tense day, I assume… As we speak’s classical sport was (so prolonged) as a consequence of stress. However I used to be additionally fairly drained,” Praggnanandhaa admitted.

Each Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh incurred fairly a drama on Sunday. Whereas Gukesh misplaced to Erigaisi, the eventual champion suffered a stunning defeat by the hands of Germany’s Vincent Keymer, however regardless of the losses they nonetheless managed 5.5 factors every to stay joint leaders.

Gukesh received the opening tie-break, however within the must-win second sport, Praggnanandhaa, employed the Trompowsky opening, bounced again to push a sudden loss of life, which had a time management of two minutes and thirty seconds for white in opposition to three for black however that didn’t deter the latter from attempting to defend an inferior endgame.

After the large win, Praggnanandhaa dropped a cheeky remark saying that he must purchase one thing for his good good friend Erigaisi for that defeat to Gukesh. “Ought to most likely by one thing for Arjun, yeah?” he smiled. “I didn’t actually count on (Arjun to beat Gukesh). As a result of sooner or later felt that Gukesh was really higher. Once I noticed the consequence (of Gukesh vs Arjun), I had already misplayed and I used to be in such a troublesome place that I might not likely do a lot than sit and defend. I didn’t suppose virtually I had any likelihood in my very own place.”