Praggnanandhaa Shines in Zagreb: Ties for Third in Grand Chess Tour Finale
In a thrilling conclusion to the Croatian leg of the Grand Chess Tour, Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa showcased resilience, finishing tied for third with 21.5 points. France’s Firouzja Alireza claimed the top spot with 23.5 points, while Praggnanandhaa’s impressive comeback on the final day solidified his standing in the competitive tournament.
Zagreb: Praggnanandhaa Shines in Grand Chess Tour Finale, Ties for Third
In a thrilling conclusion to the Croatian leg of the Grand Chess Tour, Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa showcased resilience and skill, finishing tied for third place on Monday. The young prodigy ended the tournament with an impressive 21.5 points, sharing the podium with French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.
France’s Firouzja Alireza clinched the top spot with a total of 23.5 points, despite a rocky final day where he managed only five points. Alireza’s earlier triumphs had set a high bar, but he faced stiff competition from Uzbek star Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who matched his score, leading to a dramatic tie-break finale. In the end, Alireza secured victory in the Armageddon match, needing only a draw to be crowned champion.
Praggnanandhaa’s journey on the final day was a rollercoaster. After an initial setback against Vincent Keymer, he rebounded strongly, scoring six points in his last eight games. His only other loss came against compatriot D. Gukesh, but he managed to defeat Alireza, a highlight in his otherwise challenging day.
The tournament saw a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, with Keymer finishing fifth with 20 points and Gukesh, the reigning world champion, placing sixth with 18.5 points. Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri and Romanian Deac Bogdan Daniel rounded out the top eight, while local favorite Ivan Saric struggled, finishing last with just seven points.
For their efforts, Alireza took home a prize of $47,000, while Abdusattorov earned $42,000. Praggnanandhaa and Vachier-Lagrave each received $25,000, a testament to their remarkable performances.
As the Grand Chess Tour standings shape up, Fabiano Caruana leads with 20 points, followed closely by Keymer at 19. Praggnanandhaa currently sits in sixth place with 11.5 points, facing an uphill battle if he hopes to qualify for the tour finale later this year.
Looking ahead, the next events in the Grand Chess Tour will take place in St. Louis, featuring both rapid and blitz formats, followed by a classical event. With his talent and determination, fans are eager to see how Praggnanandhaa will respond in the upcoming challenges.