Praggnanandhaa’s Stellar Finish: Shares Lead at Croatia Grand Chess Tour with Firouzja

Praggnanandhaa’s Stellar Finish at Croatia Grand Chess Tour: Shares Lead with Firouzja

Last Updated: July 04, 2026, 14:22 IST

In a thrilling conclusion to the rapid section of the Croatia Grand Chess Tour, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa showcased his exceptional talent by winning all three of his final-day games. This remarkable performance has propelled the 19-year-old into a tie for the top spot with France’s Alireza Firouzja, both finishing the rapid section with 12 points.

After a challenging second day, Praggnanandhaa rebounded spectacularly on Saturday, defeating local favorite Ivan Saric, Romania’s Bogdan-Daniel Deac, and Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri. Firouzja, who had been leading for much of the tournament, matched Praggnanandhaa’s score, setting the stage for an exciting blitz section ahead.

The competition remains fierce, with France’s Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov just a point behind at 11, while reigning world champion D Gukesh and Germany’s Vincent Keymer trail closely with 10 points.

Three Clinical Wins Power Praggnanandhaa’s Comeback

Praggnanandhaa’s day began with a commanding victory over Saric, employing the Caro-Kann Defence. He seized the initiative early, maintaining control throughout the match and converting his positional advantage into a comfortable win.

His second match against Deac was even more impressive. Playing the Petroff Defence, Praggnanandhaa dismantled his opponent’s position, winning a piece before the 15th move and cruising to victory.

The highlight of the day came in the final round against the ever-reliable Anish Giri. Praggnanandhaa expertly extracted a pawn advantage from the Catalan Opening, showcasing his tactical precision to wrap up the contest in just 34 moves, completing a perfect three-from-three finish.

Mixed Fortunes for Gukesh

While Praggnanandhaa soared, fellow Indian and reigning world champion D Gukesh faced a quieter final day, held to three consecutive draws against Abdusattorov, Keymer, and Firouzja. This left him two points behind the joint leaders as the tournament heads into the blitz section.

With 18 blitz games still to be played, the title race remains wide open. Praggnanandhaa carries significant momentum from his stunning late surge, but Firouzja, Vachier-Lagrave, Abdusattorov, and Gukesh are all firmly in contention for the coveted Croatia Grand Chess Tour title.

As the chess world eagerly anticipates the blitz showdown, all eyes will be on Praggnanandhaa and Firouzja, whose fierce rivalry promises to deliver thrilling matches in the days to come.

(with PTI inputs)

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