Paris Chess Grand Slam Tournament: All Eyes on Second Leg of Semis
The first leg ends in stalemates
The Paris leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour continued to deliver high-stakes drama on Day 5, with intense battles across the board. Indian players were in action, showcasing their skills in various playoff matches, though the results were a mixed bag.
The first leg semi-finals of the Paris Chess Grand Slam Tournament between favourite Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana ended in a draw after 67 moves. Both players showcased exceptional endgame skills, leaving only their kings on the board. The second leg is expected to be a thrilling contest as both have points to prove.
The other semi-final, Hikaru Nakamura vs Vincent Keymer, also ended in a draw after 41 moves.
Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa were in action in the playoffs. Arjun faced Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in the 5th-8th place playoff. Playing with the black pieces, Arjun suffered a defeat in 41 moves. A critical blunder on the 27th move (Ng5) allowed Nepomniachtchi to consolidate his position and secure the win.
His loss to Nepomniachtchi in the playoffs marked his second consecutive defeat.
R Praggnanandhaa, competing in the 9th-10th place playoff, played a 46-move draw against Hungarian GM Richard Rapport. Despite playing with the black pieces, Praggs displayed control and composure throughout the game.
Vidit, another Indian contender, participated in the 9th-12th place playoff but faced a tough challenge. He lost his match to compatriot Praggnanandhaa earlier in the tournament, ending his run in the lower bracket.
The tournament continues with the second leg of the semi-finals, where Carlsen, Caruana, Nakamura, and Keymer will battle for a spot in the final.
