India’s teenage chess grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has defeated world No. 1 champion Magnus Carlsen, stunning the chess world in the process.

The 16-year-old boy from Chennai beat the 31-year-old Norwegian at the Airthings Master rapid chess online championship, late on Monday.

"It's about time to go to bed as I don't think I will have dinnder at 2.30 in the morning," the calm teenager was quoted saying by news reports, after he emerged the victor over Carlsen in 39 moves.

In 2016, Praggnanandhaa, who's nicknamed Pragg, became the youngest international master in history aged 10, and while others, like Indians Viswanathan Anand and Pentala Harikrishna have previously beat Carlsen, Pragg is the youngest contender to achieve the feat since Carlsen became the world champion in 2013.

According to reports, Carlsen, who caught COVID-19 just days before the tournament, made several mistakes during the match to give Pragg the upper hand.

When the victory seemed imminent, the teenager was seen covering his mouth with his hand in shock.

Not surprisingly, Pragg's impressive win got noticed by five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who tweeted that it was a "very good day" for the teenager" and that he was proud of Indian talents.

Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar also chimed in, saying: "What a wonderful feeling it must be for Pragg. All of 16, and to have beaten the experienced & decorated Magnus Carlsen, and that too while playing black, is magical!"

With the win, the teenager had made India proud, he added.

Kudos on the awesome win, Pragg. You have indeed made your parents, compatriots, and your country proud!

May more impressive wins come your way in the years to come.


Source: Al Jazeera, CNN
Photo source: CNN