Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali register first wins at FIDE Candidates 2024

Gukesh D drew with reigning champion Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Indian chess Grandmasters Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu and his elder sister Vaishali registered their first wins in the third round of the FIDE Candidates 2024 in Toronto.

Praggnanandhaa, the 18-year-old chess, faced off against fellow Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi.

Gujrathi, who is coming off a stunning victory against world No. 3 Hikaru Nakamura was in high spirits, but Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious. Employing the sharp and seldom-seen Schliemann variation of the Ruy Lopez, Praggnanandhaa outmaneuvered Vidit in a game that will be remembered for its bold strategy and intricate tactics.

Vaishali, not to be outdone by her younger brother, also bounced back from an earlier loss to claim victory against Bulgarian player Nurgyul Salimova. Vaishali started her campaign with a stalemate against her fellow countrywoman Koneru Humpy, hereafter succumbing to China’s Tan Zhongyi in the following round.

In other matches, Koneru Humpy held a draw against China’s Tan Zhongyi, while Gukesh Dommaraju played out a draw with reigning champion Ian Nepomniachtchi in a match marred by a faulty clock, leading to an umpire’s intervention.

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Looking ahead, the tournament promises more exciting matchups, with Praggnanandhaa set to take on Nakamura, and Vaishali facing Russian grandmaster Aleksandra Goryachkina.

The 2024 Candidates Tournament is proving to be a display of the best chess players’ skills, with every round delivering unexpected twists and turns. As the gateway to the World Championships, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the Indian Grandmasters have shown that they are more than capable of rising to the challenge.

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