July 17, 2025: Indian teenage Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa continues to impress the global chess fraternity with yet another major career milestone — a commanding victory over reigning world number one Magnus Carlsen at the ongoing Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tournament in Las Vegas.
The 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai, playing with the white pieces, outplayed Carlsen with a dominant performance to take a clear lead in his group. The win not only secures Pragg’s place in the championship bracket quarterfinals but also signals his determined comeback following a disappointing ninth-place finish at the Paris leg of the Grand Slam Chess Tour.
This latest triumph adds to Praggnanandhaa’s growing list of high-profile wins against Carlsen, whom he has defeated in rapid and blitz formats before. However, this particular victory holds special significance as it comes during a high-stakes Grand Slam event founded by Carlsen himself — and at a time when the Norwegian legend leads the overall standings for the tour.
A Shocking Group Exit for Carlsen
Magnus Carlsen, a five-time world champion and widely regarded as the greatest chess player in history, suffered back-to-back group-stage defeats — first to Praggnanandhaa and then to Wesley So — before being edged out by Levon Aronian in a tiebreaker. The result left Carlsen fifth in the White Group, just outside the qualifying spots for the championship bracket, and has thrown the tournament wide open.
Carlsen’s earlier victories in Karlsruhe and Paris had made him the favourite, but this upset in Nevada has upended the odds.
Two Indians March On, One Falls Behind
India’s presence at the tournament remains strong, with Arjun Erigaisi joining Praggnanandhaa in the quarterfinals. Arjun finished third in the Black Group, behind Hikaru Nakamura and Hans Niemann. Nakamura, a fan favourite and blitz specialist, is now viewed as a strong contender for the title.
However, it was disappointment for Vidit Gujrathi, who finished at the bottom of the Black Group standings and failed to make it into the championship bracket.
Tournament Format and Stakes
The Freestyle Grand Slam tournament features 16 elite grandmasters divided into two groups of eight. The top four players from each group move to the championship bracket, while the bottom four compete in the consolation round.
With a highly competitive format blending classical preparation with fast-paced decision-making, the Las Vegas leg of the tour has lived up to its billing as one of the most thrilling chess events of the year.
What’s Next
With Carlsen out of the running and Praggnanandhaa peaking at the right time, Indian fans will be hoping to see the young Grandmaster go the distance. His continued growth, confidence, and flair suggest that more history could be made in the days ahead.
The quarterfinal pairings are expected to be announced shortly, as the championship bracket promises high-voltage matchups and more surprises in this landmark 2025 chess season.