R Praggnanandhaa Maintains Joint Lead at Super Chess Classic with Draw Against Vincent Keymer

R Praggnanandhaa Holds Vincent Keymer to Draw, Remains Joint Leader at Super Chess Classic

May 18, 2026, 01:08 IST

In a gripping third round of the Super Chess Classic, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa held German star Vincent Keymer to a draw, maintaining his position as a joint leader in this prestigious tournament, part of the Grand Chess Tour.

After a commendable victory over Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in the previous round, Praggnanandhaa now boasts two points from three games. He shares the lead with French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Dutch players Anish Giri and Jorden Van Foreest, and Keymer himself, creating a tightly contested race at the top.

The tournament features a ten-player field, with half of the participants now tied for the lead. American Grandmasters Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So are close behind, each with 1.5 points after drawing all their matches. Meanwhile, Iranian-turned-Frenchman Alireza Firouzja and local favorite Deac Bogdan-Daniel sit at the bottom with half a point each.

In the match against Keymer, Praggnanandhaa, playing with the white pieces, faced a formidable opponent. Keymer, known for his consistent performance, neutralized Praggnanandhaa’s early advantage after the Indian opted for the Capablanca variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defense. Keymer sacrificed a pawn early on, leading to a balanced position. The game culminated in a rook and minor piece endgame, where Praggnanandhaa’s extra pawn was effectively countered by Keymer’s impeccable blockade, resulting in a draw after 64 moves.

Anish Giri showcased his prowess by securing his first victory of the tournament against Alireza Firouzja. Opting for the King’s Indian Defense, Giri established a strong position that led to a critical sacrifice, allowing him to outmaneuver Firouzja, who ultimately surrendered a rook for a minor piece.

Jorden Van Foreest also impressed, defeating Deac with the black pieces in another King’s Indian encounter. Van Foreest’s superior handling of the complex positions left Deac struggling to keep pace.

The remaining two matches of the day ended in draws, with Caruana unable to break through Wesley So’s defenses, while Sindarov managed to hold Vachier-Lagrave to a stalemate.

The Super Chess Classic is a nine-round event featuring a total prize pool of $350,000, with $100,000 earmarked for the tournament champion. As the competition heats up, chess enthusiasts eagerly await the next round of action.

Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses!