R Praggnanandhaa tried laborious however needed to settle for a draw with David Navara of the Czech Republic in the ultimate spherical of the Prague Masters chess match that concluded right here on Thursday.
Praggnanandhaa can take coronary heart from the truth that he goes into the candidates as the top-rated Indian slated to be held in about 4 weeks from now in Toronto.
It took a mammoth effort from FIDE and numerous channels to resolve the visa situation for the candidates however as of now, the whole lot appears to be for one of many greatest occasions of the yr.
With 5 attracts taking place between 10 gamers in the ultimate spherical, nothing modified. Abdusattarov had gained the occasion with a spherical to spare clocking 6/8 and he inched as much as 6.5 factors for in all probability his career-best efficiency.
Praggnanandhaa to his credit score ended on a plus rating clocking 5 factors alongside Parham Maghsoodloo of Iran and shock packet Ngyen Thai Dai Van of the Czech Republic with all three of them tallying 5 factors out of a doable 9.
Gukesh, Richard Rapport of Romania and David Navara, the native star ended on 4.5 factors sharing the fifth spot adopted by Bartel and Keymer having 3.5 factors every. Vidit Gujrathi needed to be content material with a last-place end of three factors.
With the three candidates right here in the fray from India, Praggnanandhaa appears to be greatest on kind forward of Gukesh and Gujrathi. But now that the dates for the challenger of the subsequent world championship match are mounted it stays to be seen who has one of the best nerves.
Results last spherical (Indians except acknowledged): Parham Paghsoodloo (Iri, 5) drew with D Gukesh (4.5); Vincent Keymer (Ger, 3.5) drew with Vidit Gujrathi (3); Richard Rapport (Rou, 4.5) drew with Nodirbek Abdusattarov (Uzb, 6); R Praggnanandhaa (5) drew with David Navara (Cze, 4.5); Mateusz Bartel (Pol, 3.5) drew with Nguyen Thai Dai Van (Cze, 5).
