Three draws (two in classical over the past two days) and Carlsen’s command of the first tiebreak’s endgame gave him the victory and the title. Praggnanandhaa, who, like Carlsen, was playing his first World Cup final, will now compete in the Candidates tournament in 2024.
Carlsen played out a careful draw with white pieces to ensure there was no drama after winning the first game, which was close. Praggnanandhaa was positioned nicely in the first game with white pieces until the endgame, but Carlsen tightened the screws and put the Indian under time pressure, forcing him to surrender. With only a few seconds left on the clock, the Indian resigned as the game was approaching a draw in a very even situation when Carlsen finally made his move with his knights moving into potentially dangerous positions.
After winning the first game, which was closely contested, Carlsen carefully played out a draw with white pieces to ensure there was no drama. Up until the endgame of the first game, Praggnanandhaa had the white pieces in a good position. However, Carlsen tightened the screws and placed the Indian under time pressure, compelling him to give up. When Carlsen made his move with his knights moving into potentially risky positions with just a few seconds remaining on the clock, the Indian conceded as the game was close to a draw in a very even situation.
The world no. 1 had effectively ended Praggnanandhaa’s prospects of victory with black pieces in the beginning, demonstrating the skill and cunning of the five-time world champion. The players decided a draw after exchanging a few significant pieces, with only Carlsen’s smile serving as the other player’s emotional display. Along with his five World Championship victories, the Norwegian has now added the one trophy that was lacking to his remarkable collection. Praggnanandhaa received a staggering sum of USD 80,000 (about 66,13,444) for placing second in the FIDE World Cup 2023. Carlsen of Norway will receive USD 110K (or around 90,93,551) for winning the World Cup in Baku.