Indian chess sensation and Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa ignited the board with an impeccable series of five consecutive victories, positioning himself at the top with 6.5 points in the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz on Friday, September 8.
Only 18 years of age, Praggnanandhaa had already left a significant mark just a day before, clinching a joint third position at the 'Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2023'. Kicking off with a spirit of determination on Friday, the young maestro secured wins in the initial five rounds. However, Russian Grandmaster Alexander Grischuk managed to break this winning streak, drawing against the Indian prodigy in the sixth round. Following this, Praggnanandhaa encountered two successive defeats in the seventh and eighth rounds, only to bounce back with a triumph against fellow Indian player, Arjun Erigaisi, in the concluding match of the day.
Hot on Praggnanandhaa's heels are notable players Vidit Gujarathi and Grischuk, both accumulating six points after the day's nine rounds. Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh, meanwhile, stand with 4.5 points each.
The day commenced with Praggnanandhaa overpowering Azerbaijani Grandmaster Teimour Radjabov. Following this, he showcased his exemplary skills, registering a decisive win against rapid champion Maxime Vachier-Lagrave from France. Having recently stood as the runner-up at the FIDE World Cup, Praggnanandhaa displayed a near-perfect game against Vachier-Lagrave, sealing his victory in just 47 moves.
The third round saw Praggnanandhaa in top form as he outplayed German Grandmaster Vincent Keymar. The match concluded in the rook endgame when Keymar decided to resign after losing two pawns to the Indian. Continuing his dominant spree, Praggnanandhaa outmaneuvered Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and celebrated another win against Indian Grandmaster Harikrishna Pentala within 34 moves.
Despite the draw against Grischuk that lasted a lengthy 86 moves, and a sudden defeat at the hands of Gujrathi, Praggnanandhaa showcased resilience. Another setback followed as Gukesh triumphed over him in the eighth round. Yet, displaying sheer determination, Praggnanandhaa secured a vital victory against GM Erigaisi, leveraging his extra pawn advantage in the endgame to clinch the game in 45 moves.
As the Tata Steel Chess India Blitz 2023 unfolds, all eyes are set on this Indian chess prodigy, as enthusiasts eagerly await his future performances.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
IND vs PAK: Sanju Samson returns home ahead of India's Super Four clash against Pakistan. Know why
ENG vs NZ: Ben Stokes makes stunning comeback with stunning fifty on ODI return after 416 days
