Superbet Classic: Pragg holds joint lead, Gukesh loses again

D Gukesh; (right) Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa. Pic/Getty Images

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa played out a draw with Duda Jan-Krzysztof of Poland to maintain a joint lead with 3.5 points, but compatriot D Gukesh lost a tense battle against Alireza Firouzja of France in the sixth round of Superbet Chess Classic here.

Playing the black side of an English opening, Praggnanandhaa was subjected to some strong advances by Duda, but held his ground.

Also Read: Forest's Awoniyi in induced coma after injury

The Polish Grandmaster showed his intent with a queen sacrifice for a rook and minor piece in the middle game forcing Praggnanandhaa to realise that his chances were slim. The draw was a fitting result as neither player could make much progress thereafter.

Meanwhile, Gukesh suffered his second loss in the event. The game should have ended as a draw if not for the Indian's blunder during the endgame with a rook, a bishop and a pawn each on the board.

Alireza, Fabiano Caruana (USA), Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (France) and Praggnanandhaa share the lead.

Caruana tried hard to break through with a piece sacrifice against local hero Deac Bogdan-Daniel, but eventually settled for a draw. Vachier-Lagrave could do little with his white pieces either as he drew with Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever