The Indian juggernaut in international chess remained unstoppable as Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa fought through exhaustion and nerves to defeat world champion D. Gukesh in a clash of compatriots to clinch the Tata Steel Masters title for the first time in his prolific career.The bespectacled 19-year-old from Chennai came from behind to upstage the 18-year-old 2-1 in the tiebreaker of the event’s 87th edition on Sunday. This was after both players ended up tied on 8.5 points after losing their 13th-round games. While Gukesh lost to fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa went down to Vincent Keymer of Germany.In the tiebreaker, there was huge drama typical of two young players looking to win each and every game they played in the tournament.“I am still shaking, it was such a crazy day. I don’t know how to express. I didn’t really expect to win. Somehow things went my way,” Praggnanandhaa told the official tournament website after his triumph.
