Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa Shares Top Spot with D Gukesh After Third Straight Victory

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa showcased his brilliance once again as he defeated Alexey Sarana of Serbia to secure his third consecutive victory in the Tata Steel Masters tournament in Netherlands. With this win, Praggnanandhaa now shares the top spot with fellow Indian D Gukesh, both standing at an impressive 8.5 points at the end of the 12th round.

In a thrilling day of chess, D Gukesh seemed on track to maintain his lead with a potential win against Jorden van Foreest. However, it was Arjun Erigaisi who stole the spotlight by defeating Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan, causing a shift in the leaderboard. Gukesh now stands tied with Praggnanandhaa at 8.5 points, while Abdusattorov slipped to third place with 7.5 points.

Praggnanandhaa’s strategic gameplay in the Queen’s gambit declined opening with white pieces against Sarana was a sight to behold. He expertly sacrificed a piece to dismantle his opponent’s king position, ultimately leading to a stunning checkmate. Meanwhile, Erigaisi’s victory over Abdusattorov in a Nimzo Indian game showcased his tactical prowess and determination to succeed.

The results of round 12 Masters saw Erigaisi defeating Abdusattorov, Gukesh drawing with van Foreest, and other intense matchups between top players. The competition remains fierce as the tournament heads towards its conclusion, with Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh vying for the coveted title. Chess enthusiasts eagerly await the final round to witness the ultimate showdown between these talented Grandmasters.