New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa continued his winning momentum in the ongoing Tata Steel Chess Masters after registering a win against Serbia’s Alexey Sarana to make it his third straight win after the end of the 12th as well as the penultimate round on Saturday in Wijk Aan Zee, the Netherlands.
The 2023 World Cup runner-up was once again seen in the act of a Queen’s gambit declined opening after starting with the White pieces. Sarana attempted to advance the king’s end pawn and later castled on the queen’s side. The Indian GM went for the attack against the black king.
The 19-year-old did sacrifice a piece to toy with the black king’s position before a queen’s sacrifice led to a force checkmate in what was a tactical nous by the Chennai-born chess player.
After losing his status as India’s top-ranked chess player in the tournament, Arjun Erigaisi defeated Uzbekistan GM Nodribek Abdusattorov with white pieces to dent the latter’s chances from contending for a top spot. It was the Capablanca variation from the India which left little room for Nodribek to destabilise the whites on the board.
Arjun Erigaisi finally proved his mettle against Abdusattorov whose ambitions of the top place ended. It was a Nimzo Indian wherein Erigaisi had white pieces and his choice of Capablanca variation gave little chances for Abdusattorov to disturb the balance.
The Uzbek GM made blunder on the kingside after complicating his formation in the middle of the game. The Indian youngster captured a pawn following it with two bishops in exchange for a rook. He wrapped the contest in 46 moves.
After the 12th round of Tata Steel Chess Masters, Praggnanandhaa has a total tally of 8.5 points while Nodribek slipped down to the third spot with 7.5 points. World champion D Gukesh was up against local player Jorden van Foreest and if the Indian youngster manages to muster a win here then he will claim the top spot ahead of Praggnanandhaa with nine points. A draw would mean the two Indian teenagers share the lead.
Results round 12 Masters: Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 4.5) beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 7.5); Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 4.5) playing D Gukesh (Ind, 8); Wei Yi (Chn, 6.5) drew with Anish Giri (Ned, 6.5); Leon Luke Mendonca (Ind, 4) playing Fabiano Caruana (Usa, 5.5); R Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 8.5) beat Alexey Sarana (Srb, 5.5); P Harikrishna (Ind, 6) drew with Vincent Keymer (Ger, 5); Max Warmerdam (Ned, 3.5) lost to Vladimir Fedoseev (Slo, 7
Indian chess grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa continued his terrific show at the Tata Steel Chess Masters, securing his third consecutive win against Alexey Sarana. Fellow Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi also triumphed over Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Praggnanandhaa currently leads with 8.5 points, while a win for D Gukesh could put him at the top. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
