PRAGG CALLS IT CRAZY DAY AFTER HISTORIC WIN

Defeats Gukesh sudden death to become only the second Indian to win Tata Steel Masters

- ASHOK VENUGOPAL @Chennai

IT was a heart-wrenching moment for newly-crowned world champion D Gukesh minutes before R Praggnanandhaa beat him in the final round of the prestigious Tata Steel Masters at Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands, on Sunday. He had a slight edge before squandering it and losing in Sudden Death. He leaned back on his chair, tilted his head back and looked distraught as Chess Olympiad teammate Praggnanandhaa shook his hands after securing the title in a thrilling tie-breaks. Chess can be pulsating when two great minds meet and Wijk aan Zee just produced one.

The enormity of the title can be gauged when one places it against the record. Praggnanandhaa became only the second Indian to win the crown after the legendary Viswanathan Anand (2006). The new champion said later to the official website that it was a 'crazy day'. "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 said adding that he should buy something for Arjun (for beating Gukesh earlier). "At some point I thought Gukesh was better," he admitted.