Gukesh strikes back with victories over Pragg, Keymer
Romanian Kirill Shevchenko run ended by Erigaisi Arjun who scores his rst victory in the event; Arjun holds Carlsen to an easy draw in the opener, draws two more games
Newly-crowned FIDE Candidates’ champion D. Gukesh struck back after recovering from a sedate start to defeat compatriot R. Praggnanandhaa and Vincent Keymer in the Superbet rapid and blitz tournament, a part of the Grand Chess tour.
Gukesh, who recorded just a lone draw out of three games, fought his way back at the expense of Praggnanandhaa earlier in the rst round of the day. Praggnanandhaa lost his way in the middle game and did not quite recover.
Wasting no time following the loss to Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa also returned much stronger in the fth-round, defeating Holland’s Anish Giri, while Gukesh made most of chances to crush Keymer.
The dream run of Romanian Kirill Shevchenko was ended by Erigaisi Arjun who scored his rst victory in the event.
At the top, World number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway joined Shevchenko in the lead on seven points out of a possible ten and these two are now followed by Wei Yi of China who is one point behind.
The Indian trio of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa and Arjun are sharing the fourth spot on ve points along with Nodirbek Abdusattorov
of Uzbekistan. Duda Jan-Kryzstof of Poland and Vincent Keymer of Germany share the eighth spot on four points and a completely o-form Giri is now in the last spot with just two points.
Four more rounds remain in the rapid section of the event before an 18round blitz tournament kickstarts.
Earlier, World Number seven Arjun held Carlsen to an easy draw in the opener and then drew two more games to remain within striking distance of early leader Kirilll Shevchenko of Romania after the third round of tournament.
While Gukesh lost his rst two games before drawing the third, R Praggnanandhaa recovered in the third round to beat Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan to be on a fty percent score.
Early leader
Shevchenko, the lowest seed in the tournament emerged as the early leader with three victories on the trot coming in contrasting fashion.
The Ukrainian-turnedRomanian benetted from a rare blunder by Gukesh in the rst round, defeated Praggnanandhaa in a brilliantly crafted game and then showed his technical acumen to crash throught he defenses of Vincent Keymer of Germany.
Arjun and Praggnanandhaa share the fourth spot on 3 points apiece along with Keymer. Wei Yi of China shares the seventh spot with Giri and Duda Jan-Krzystof of Poland with two points in their kitty, while Gukesh is in the rear on one point.
Six more rounds in rapid and 18 in blitz still remain in the $175000 prize money tournament.
Standings after round 3 Rapid: 1. Kirill Shevchenko 6; 2-3: Carlsen, Abdusattorov 4 each; 4-6: Arjun, Pragganandhaa, Keymer 3 each; 7-9: Giri, Wei Yi, Duda 2 each; 10. Gukesh 1.