Paris Grand Slam Chess: Arjun Erigaisi Battles into Quarters
Arjun holds his ground against Hikaru Nakamura, Praggs, Gukesh, and Vidit battle it out in classification encounters
Last night's encounters at the Paris Grand Slam Chess tournament were filled with intense battles and notable performances, especially for Indian players. Here's a detailed report:
Arjun Erigaisi, the sole Indian representative in the quarterfinals, faced world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura in a gripping match. Erigaisi started strong, advancing his knights aggressively and establishing an early advantage. However, a misstep with his knight led to a queen exchange, and the game eventually settled into a prolonged endgame battle.
After 77 moves, both players agreed to a draw, leaving the outcome to be decided in the second leg.
Magnus Carlsen displayed exceptional endgame technique to defeat Nodirbek Abdusattorov, making him the only player to secure a win on Day 1 of the quarterfinals. Matches between Ian Nepomniachtchi and Vincent Keymer, as well as Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Fabiano Caruana, ended in draws, setting up high-stakes rematches.
Gukesh, the reigning world champion, competed in the 9th–12th place playoffs after an early exit from the main event. He faced Richard Rapport but suffered a defeat, finishing 10th overall. Compatriot R Praggnanandhaa delivered a strong performance in the classification matches, defeating Vidit Gujrathi to secure a higher ranking. Vidit struggled in his match against Praggnanandhaa, ending his campaign in 12th place.
Arjun Erigaisi's progression to the quarterfinals highlights his growing stature in the chess world, as he continues to adapt to the unconventional freestyle format of the tournament. The early exits of Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit underscore the challenges Indian players face in high-stakes international tournaments. However, their performances in the classification matches demonstrate resilience and potential for future success.
