Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Surges to Co-Leader Position at 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia After Stellar Day Three Performance
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu Surges to Co-Leader Status at 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia
Zagreb, Croatia — In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, Indian chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu has emerged as a co-leader in the 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia tournament after a stunning performance on day three. The 17-year-old Grandmaster clinched victories in all three of his matches against formidable opponents, including GMs Ivan Saric, Bogdan-Daniel Deac, and Anish Giri, bringing his total to 12 points and tying him with Alireza Firouzja at the top of the leaderboard.
Firouzja, who had a commanding lead going into the day, faced a challenging round, managing only two draws and suffering a defeat at the hands of Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Abdusattorov’s impressive performance has placed him just a point behind the leaders, alongside Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Meanwhile, GMs Gukesh Dommaraju and Vincent Keymer are tied for fifth, trailing by another point.
As the tournament shifts to the blitz format, with nine rounds scheduled for Saturday, July 4, at 9 a.m. ET, the competition is heating up. The final day of rapid chess saw Firouzja’s once-comfortable lead evaporate, leaving six players within striking distance of the top.
Reflecting on the previous day, Firouzja expressed his disappointment over Croatia’s recent loss to Portugal in the UEFA Euro 2026 quarterfinals. “Tragic, what a way to finish. All my sympathies with this phenomenal Croatian team,” he tweeted, hinting that the emotional toll may have affected his performance.
Praggnanandhaa’s journey to the top was not without its challenges. After a tough second day, where he suffered two losses, he rebounded spectacularly. His first victory of the day against Saric was hard-fought, with the Croatian GM nearly seizing the win before Praggnanandhaa turned the tables. He then dispatched Deac in just 24 moves and concluded the day with a remarkable win over Giri, showcasing his tactical prowess with a knight and rook sacrifice that left spectators in awe.
As the blitz rounds approach, the stakes are higher than ever. With Firouzja renowned for his blitz capabilities and Abdusattorov ranked as the world’s second-best blitz player, Praggnanandhaa will need to maintain his focus and composure to secure his position at the top.
The 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia is part of the Grand Chess Tour, taking place at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb from July 1-5. The tournament features a unique format, beginning with a rapid round-robin followed by a blitz double round-robin, promising an exhilarating conclusion to this prestigious event.
As fans eagerly await the blitz rounds, the chess world watches closely: can Praggnanandhaa hold his ground against the titans of the game? Only time will tell.