Day 2 Recap: Firouzja Capitalizes on Blunders, Climbing to the Top in Poland Rapid & Blitz

Highlights:

• Firouzja’s Comeback: Alireza Firouzja seizes the lead after a critical win against Praggnanandhaa.
• Aravindh’s Brilliance: Aravindh Chithambaram rises to third place with a standout performance.
• Resilience of Vachier-Lagrave and Aronian: Both players recover from tough starts to improve their standings.

Upcoming:

• Day 3: Action resumes on April 28 at 8 a.m. ET.

Firouzja Capitalizes on Blunder to Surge Ahead in Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland

Warsaw, Poland – In a thrilling display of tactical prowess, Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja seized an unexpected opportunity to outmaneuver fellow competitor Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, propelling himself into a tie for the lead with GM Vladimir Fedoseev at the 2025 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland tournament. The second day of competition saw Firouzja’s decisive victory over Praggnanandhaa, who faltered under pressure, allowing Firouzja to catch up in the standings.

The day began with high stakes as Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa, both starting in second place, faced off in a tense match that initially appeared destined for a draw. However, a critical miscalculation by Praggnanandhaa turned the tide. Just one move away from a draw, he opted to play on, leading to a catastrophic blunder that left him in a losing position. As his clock ran out, Firouzja began setting up for the next game, a poignant reminder of the high-pressure stakes at play.

While Firouzja capitalized on this blunder, Fedoseev maintained his position at the top by drawing all three of his matches on day two. Firouzja’s performance included draws against GMs Jan-Krzysztof Duda and Levon Aronian, showcasing his resilience and strategic depth.

In a remarkable turn of events, GM Aravindh Chithambaram climbed to third place, matching Firouzja’s score of 4/6 for the day. His standout moment came in a dramatic encounter with former world champion Veselin Topalov, where he executed a brilliant move under severe time pressure, sealing his victory and solidifying his position in the tournament.

The day was not without its challenges for Praggnanandhaa, who struggled to regain his footing after starting the tournament strong. Following his loss to Firouzja, he faced another defeat against Topalov, further complicating his standings.

Veterans Levon Aronian and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave also made significant strides, each scoring 4/6. Vachier-Lagrave, who had a rocky start, rebounded with a convincing win over David Gavrilescu, while Aronian found his rhythm after a motivational dinner with Vachier-Lagrave, demonstrating the camaraderie that often exists among competitors.

As the tournament progresses, the excitement continues to build. Day three kicks off on Monday, April 28, at 8 a.m. ET, promising more intense matchups as players vie for supremacy in this prestigious event.

The 2025 Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, held at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, features a unique format of rapid and blitz rounds, offering fans a thrilling spectacle of chess at its finest. With six points still up for grabs, the competition remains fierce as players jockey for position ahead of the blitz rounds set to begin on Tuesday.

Stay tuned for more updates as the drama unfolds in Warsaw!