“GM M Pranesh Leads Swiss Stage of 2024 Speed Chess Championship Play-in”

GM M Pranesh emerged as the top player in the Swiss stage of the 2024 Speed Chess Championship Play-in, finishing with an impressive score of 9.5/11. Pranesh’s stellar performance secured him a spot in the double-elimination Knockout round, where he will compete against seven other players for the last qualifying spot in the SCC main event.

Joining Pranesh in the Knockout are GMs Denis Lazavik, Yuriy Kuzubov, Alexander Zubov, Matthias Bluebaum, Dmitry Andreikin, Andrew Hong, and Daniil Dubov. The Knockout is set to take place on Friday, June 28, starting at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Pranesh’s dominance in the Swiss stage was highlighted by his only draw coming in the final round, securing his spot in the Knockout alongside Lazavik. Despite a round-three loss against GM Luca Moroni, Pranesh showcased his skills with a remarkable win in round eight, where he sacrificed a rook to secure victory.

Lazavik, the top-seed in the tournament, also had a strong showing, finishing second with just one loss against GM Victor Bologan. Dubov, on the other hand, impressed commentators with his strategic play, securing the last qualifying spot for the Knockout with a win against GM Nodirbek Yakubboev.

The Knockout promises to be an intense battle, with eight players vying for the final qualifying spot in this year’s SCC. The Winners Bracket players will have the advantage of two lives, while those in the Losers Bracket will be eliminated after a single match loss.

The Speed Chess Championship is Chess.com’s premier speed chess event, featuring top players competing in fast-paced games with time controls of 5+1, 3+1, and 1+1. The main event will conclude with the first-ever live Final on September 8 in Paris, with a prize fund of $173,000.