New Delhi: Indian chess player Dommaraju Gukesh enforced a draw against Alireza Firouzja on Thursday during their first game of the classification match as both players are contending for a 7th spot in the ongoing Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour.
It was the commendable efforts from the Indian Grandmaster, even though he was in a losing spot, to carry out a drawn game.
Playing with the White pieces, Alireza was in a favourable position after both players attempted their first moves on the chess board.
Gukesh erred on bringing out the incorrect knight. He was on the defensive mode during the early part of his game.
Alireza built advantage with the exchange of rooks when the Iran-born French player was left with had a pawn up in his army.
Gukesh comes back from a completely lost position and holds the draw against Alireza Firouzja in the fight for 7th place at the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour! pic.twitter.com/sLG7VmxgW8
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) February 13, 2025
As the match progressed, Alireza’s chances seemed stronger to walk away with a win. The French GM was left with 17 minutes on the clock while Gukesh was under pressure with just 47 seconds to tick off. However, the Indian GM was shrewd to pull a rabbit out of a hat and imposed a draw after 92 moves.
Gukesh and Firouzja set for second match
This act of the Indian GM earned him applause at the playing hall, though he hasn’t managed to register a single win in the tournament thus far. The ability to fightback and leave his opponent to settle for a draw was anything but ecstasy with the Indian player left with a smile while shaking the customary hand shakes.
Gukesh and Alireza will play the second match on Friday as the Indian player will start with the Whites.
In the contest for the 5th place, Americam GM Hikaru Nakamura defeated Uzbekistan GM Nodribek Abdusattorov.
Indian chess grandmaster Dommaraju Gukesh battled Alireza Firouzja to a draw in their first Freestyle Chess Grand Slam match. Despite falling behind significantly, Gukesh skillfully navigated a difficult position to secure a draw after 92 moves. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
