Praggnanandhaa Dismantles Carlsen at Freestyle Chess Semis

Praggnanandhaa Beats World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen 2.5-0.5 in Semis

In the semifinals of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam at Las Vegas, 19-year-old Indian wunderkind R Praggnanandhaa defeated World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in dominant fashion 2.5-0.5 win. Keeping his cool and showing tactical brilliance, Praggnanandhaa had Carlsen on the ropes in the Chess960 format, crushing him in rapid as well as blitz. 

Post-match, Praggnanandhaa became headline-worthy with the politely assertive statement: "I like Freestyle more than Classical." This statement signals a generational shift in how rising players perceive the future of the game. 

In freestyle chess, also known as Chess960, deep opening preparations become null, a characteristic in which fast-paced players like Carlsen excel. Consequently, the focus shifts to creativity, adaptability, and on-the-spot brilliance.

A New Era Dawns?

Praggnanandhaa's dominating victory has many significances. First, it would seem to usher in a new generation of matured Indian chess players. Already considered one of the brightest talents in the world, Praggnanandhaa has developed rapidly: he became the youngest player to defeat Carlsen in a rapid game in 2022; now, in 2025, he delivers one of the most crushing Freestyle defeats upon him. 

Secondly, such a defeat represents a rare stumble for Carlsen, as he remains virtually untouchable in the classical and rapid format. While the Norwegian legend still tops the global rankings, his recent struggles in freestyle have led many to question whether the newer, more adaptable generation could be finally getting an edge in newer formats.

Speaking after the game, Carlsen remained very gracious in defeat. "He played better today--plain and simple. The format is unforgiving if you're off even a little, and he capitalized on every opportunity," Carlsen said.

The Road Ahead

By earning the victory, Praggnanandhaa has secured a spot in the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam final against either Hikaru Nakamura or Fabiano Caruana. This final victory again sparked discussions about the potential of embracing dynamic formats such as Chess960 to speed up the sport and creating a vibrant atmosphere that would draw interest from the new generation. 

After the last game, the Las Vegas audience comprising celebrities, tech billionaires, and chess lovers from different parts of the world, stood up and applauded. Freestyle chess may still be finding its feet in traditional chess scenery, yet with such performances, one thing is clear - the likes of Praggnanandhaa are more than capable of taking charge.

As one commentator put it: “This isn’t just a win — it’s a changing of the guard.”