2 months ago
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The other Indian representative at the event, D Gukesh, appeared to have played a conservative game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave keeping the upcoming World Championship in mind and decided to settle for a draw with the Frenchman. read more
 "Praggnanandhaa held to draw by lowest-ranked opponent in sixth round of Superbet Classic Tournament")
File image of Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa. PTI
Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa was held to a draw by Romania’s Bogdan-Daniel Deac, an opponent ranked several places below him, in the sixth round of the Superbet Classic Tournament, part of the Grand Chess Tour, in Bucharest on Wednesday.
The other Indian representative at the event, D Gukesh, appeared to have played a conservative game against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave keeping the upcoming World Championship in mind and decided to settle for a draw with the Frenchman.
Among other results, Iranian-French GM Alireza Firouzja shined with his moves against the United States’ Wesley So.
It was an off day for Praggnanandhaa, who tried his hand against the Nimzo Indian defence and was confidently breached by his Romanian opponent, who happens to be the lowest-ranked player at the event.
Bogdan-Daniel matched Praggnanandhaa move for move, with the two eventually shaking hands through repetition after 38 moves.
It was not so easy for Gukesh either as he seemed to withhold his true preparation for the World Championship match against Ding Liren, scheduled in November this year in Singapore.
Alireza stole the show on a dull day in the Grand Chess Tour. He was at his best and crawled back with his second win of the tournament to be in striking distance of tournament leader Fabio Caruana of the United States.
With just three rounds remaining in the US$ 350,000 prize money tournament, Caruna seems to be sitting pretty at the top, with three aspirants in Gukesh Praggnanandhaa and Alireza in pursuit.
Results after round 6: R Praggnaanandhaa (IND, 3.5) drew with Deac Bogdan-Daniel (ROM, 2); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA, 3) drew with D Gukesh (IND, 3.5); Fabiano Caruana (USA, 4) drew with Ian Nepomnichtchi (FID, 3); Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 3.5) beat Wesley So (USA, 2).
With PTI inputs
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English (US) ·