Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa. File
| Photo Credit: DEBASISH BHADURI
Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa blundered for the second day working and misplaced to Richard Rapport of Romania within the third spherical of the Prague Masters Chess match underway right here.
After briefly going forward of Viswanthan Anand and attaining the highest Indian standing within the dwell ranking listing, this double blow price the Indian dearly, and now a whole lot of hard-work stays within the final six rounds of the 10-player round-robin contest.
It was drama throughout, as Praggnanandhaa was not the one one to blow away his possibilities. Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan turned the tables on native star David Navara from an almost hopeless place when the latter failed to preserve his nerves underneath stress after attaining a successful place.
The all-Indian duel between Vidit Gujrathi and D. Gukesh resulted in a stalemate with neither participant in a position to drive issues, whereas in a single day sole chief Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran was held to a draw by prime German Vincent Keymer.
In the opposite sport of the day, Nguyen Than Dai Van of Czech Republic defeated Mateusz Bartel of Poland from what was an advanced endgame.
Meanwhile, in one other information coming in from Shenzen in China, Arjun Erigaisi turn into the brand new India primary defeating Xiangyu Yu of China within the first spherical of the Shenzen Masters.
As issues stand right here, Abdusattarov joined Maghsoodloo within the lead on 2.5 factors out of a doable three and the 2 at the moment are trailed by Gukesh and Rapport with 2 factors apiece. Gujrathi stands at fifth spot with 1.5 factors, a half level forward of Praggnanandhaa, Navara, Dai Van and Keymer. Bartel, with only a half level, is on the backside of the desk.
It was merely not Praggnanandhaa’s day. The Indian did the whole lot proper besides going previous the end line in his sport in opposition to Rapport. The Hungarian-turned-Romanian is thought for his uncompromising type and off-beat openings. The King’s Indian was no exception as Rapport selected one thing unusual at this stage and Praggnanandhaa made speedy progress within the centre earlier than launching a king-side assault.
Rapport was trying fairly misplaced at one level within the center sport however hung in there until the Indian faltered. The sport modified rapidly thereafter as Rapport discovered some study-like protection and romped dwelling.
Gukesh couldn’t make a lot headway along with his white items in opposition to Gujrathi out of a Berlin protection sport. The center sport noticed routine exchanges and the gamers rapidly arrived at a minor items endgame that was simply stage.
Results spherical 3 (Indians until acknowledged): Vincent Keymer (Ger, 1) drew with Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 2.5); R Praggnanandhaa (1) misplaced to Richard Rapport (Rou, 2); Nodirbek Abdusattarov (Uzb, 2.5) beat David Navara (Cze, 1); Mateusz Bartel (Pol, 0.5) misplaced to Nguyen Thai Dai Van (Cze, 1); D Gukesh (2) drew with Vidit Gujrathi (1.5).
