Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Leads Tata Steel Chess Masters After Third Consecutive Win
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Co-Leads Tata Steel Chess Masters After Third Consecutive Win
In a thrilling turn of events at the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters, GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu secured his third consecutive victory by defeating GM Alexey Sarana. This impressive win has catapulted Praggnanandhaa to the top of the leaderboard, where he now shares the lead with World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju.
Praggnanandhaa’s remarkable performance in the tournament has seen him climb the rankings, overtaking Alireza Firouzja to become the world number-seven. His strategic gameplay and tactical brilliance have been on full display, with each of his wins coming in threes throughout the competition.
Reflecting on his latest victory, Praggnanandhaa expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I really wanted to push today, and I think I got what I wanted out of the opening.” Despite an unconventional opening move that raised eyebrows, Praggnanandhaa’s calculated strategy paid off as he outmaneuvered his opponent with precision.
Meanwhile, Gukesh Dommaraju narrowly missed a chance to take the lead after a tense match against Jorden van Foreest ended in a draw. The game was a rollercoaster of exchanges and sacrifices, with both players showcasing their resilience and tactical prowess.
Another highlight of the day was GM Arjun Erigaisi’s first-ever win in the Masters section, as he defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Arjun’s victory marked a significant milestone in his career and added an exciting twist to the tournament standings.
With the final round approaching, the stage is set for an exhilarating finish as Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh battle for the top spot. The last round on Sunday promises to be a showdown of strategic brilliance and intense competition as the players vie for the prestigious title.
Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion of the 2025 Tata Steel Chess Masters as the top players compete for glory and recognition in the world of chess.