R Praggnanandhaa Faces Tough Competition in Candidates Tournament as Sindarov Extends Lead

R Praggnanandhaa Faces Tough Competition at Candidates Chess Tournament in Cyprus

Cyprus, October 7, 2023 — Indian chess prodigy R Praggnanandhaa found himself in a challenging position at the sixth round of the Candidates chess tournament in Cyprus on Saturday. Starting the day two points and four ‘net wins’ behind leader Javokhir Sindarov, Praggnanandhaa aimed to close the gap but faced a formidable opponent in world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura.

In a game that showcased Praggnanandhaa’s strategic prowess, he surprised Nakamura with a Nimzo-Indian Defence. However, despite his efforts to complicate the game, it ultimately ended in a draw after a threefold repetition in just 23 moves. This result left Praggnanandhaa 2.5 points behind Sindarov, who continued his winning streak, further solidifying his lead.

Sindarov, the youngest player in the tournament and a World Cup winner, has been on a remarkable run, defeating notable players including Wei Yi, and now stands at 5.5 points. His consistent performance has made it increasingly difficult for his rivals, including Fabiano Caruana, who trails by 1.5 points after failing to secure a win against Andrey Esipenko.

Former five-time world champion V Anand commented on the situation during the FIDE webcast, stating, “It’s just that Sindarov’s opponents are not able to play a normal game anymore.” This sentiment reflects the mounting pressure on players as they vie for the coveted title.

In a day filled with excitement, Praggnanandhaa’s sister, R Vaishali, and fellow competitor Divya Deshmukh also made headlines, both securing victories with the black pieces. Vaishali triumphed over overnight leader Kateryna Lagno, while Divya defeated Kazakh player Bibisara Assaubayeva. Vaishali’s game was particularly thrilling, as she maneuvered her king to safety while threatening significant damage on her opponent’s h1 square.

Meanwhile, in the women’s section, Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine claimed victory against co-leader Zhu Jiner of China, moving to four points. The competition remains fierce as players continue to battle for supremacy.

In other chess news, Iranian Grandmaster Amin Tabatabaei managed to hold world champion Magnus Carlsen to a draw in the fourth round of the Freestyle chess at Grenke Classic in Karlsruhe, Germany. Carlsen, who had been on a 12-game winning streak, faced a tough challenge from Tabatabaei, who successfully disrupted the champion’s momentum.

As the Candidates tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa and his quest to catch up with Sindarov, while the chess community eagerly anticipates the next round of thrilling matchups.