R Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Over Javokhir Sindarov at Super Chess Classics, Ties for Lead with Vachier-Lagrave and Keymer
R Praggnanandhaa Triumphs Over Javokhir Sindarov at Super Chess Classics in Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania – May 15, 2026 – In a thrilling display of strategy and skill, Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa outmaneuvered World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov in the second round of the Super Chess Classics on Friday. This victory propelled Praggnanandhaa into a three-way tie for the lead alongside Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vincent Keymer.
Facing off with the black pieces, Praggnanandhaa showcased his tactical prowess in what initially appeared to be a balanced middle game. Sindarov, attempting to revive a long-abandoned variation of the Italian Opening, found himself in a precarious position as the game progressed. Despite his efforts to create opportunities, including a bold piece sacrifice, Sindarov struggled to gain any significant advantage.
As the match unfolded, Praggnanandhaa seized the moment, complicating the position and forcing Sindarov into a defensive stance. After 42 moves, the Uzbek player conceded defeat, unable to counter Praggnanandhaa’s solidified position, which included an extra piece.
The day’s matches also featured notable performances from other top players. Fabiano Caruana and Anish Giri settled for a draw in a closed Ruy Lopez opening, while Wesley So’s Berlin Defence against Jorden Van Foreest resulted in another draw.
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave emerged victorious against compatriot Alireza Firouzja, capitalizing on tactical opportunities to secure his second win of the tournament. Meanwhile, Vincent Keymer triumphed over Romania’s Deac Bogdan-Daniel in a hard-fought battle that lasted 50 moves.
At the conclusion of the second round, Praggnanandhaa, Keymer, and Vachier-Lagrave each held 1.5 points, with Caruana, So, Van Foreest, and Giri trailing closely behind at one point each. Firouzja, Deac, and Sindarov found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard, each with half a point.
The Super Chess Classics, featuring ten elite players, is a nine-round event with a total prize pool of $350,000, including a $100,000 reward for the tournament champion.
As the competition heats up, chess enthusiasts eagerly await the next round, hoping for more electrifying matches and unexpected twists in this prestigious tournament.