Indian Players Face Mixed Results at Paris Grand Prix Chess

Indian chess stars showed resilience and also struggled at the prestigious Paris Grand Prix Chess tournament yesterday.

Arjun Erigaisi, India's sole representative in the quarterfinals, faced world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura. Despite a promising start, Arjun faltered in the middlegame against Nakamura's superior positional play.

The match ended after 62 moves, with Arjun resigning due to a material deficit. Nakamura advanced to the semifinals, securing victory with a 1.5-0.5 scoreline. Arjun's quarterfinal journey highlighted his growing stature in global chess, even as he continues to adapt to freestyle formats against seasoned opponents.

R Praggnanandhaa impressed with a confident win over Vidit Gujrathi, finishing 9th in the tournament rankings. Vidit struggled against Praggnanandhaa's calculated attacks, ending his campaign in 12th place.

World Champion D Gukesh had promising positions against Richard Rapport but failed to convert critical advantages into wins, showing a need for better endgame precision under time pressure. After losing one game and drawing the other, he finished in 11th place overall.

In the other matches, Magnus Carlsen continued his dominant run, advancing to the semifinals with a draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov, having secured victory in the first leg. Ian Nepomniachtchi and Vincent Keymer's clash remains unresolved, heading into tiebreaks after two drawn encounters.

Indian players showcased grit and determination despite challenges. Praggnanandhaa's success in classification matches offers hope for the future, while Arjun's quarterfinal presence highlights India's growing footprint in elite chess tournaments. Vidit Gujrathi and Gukesh showed flashes of brilliance in the tournament, but they need to work on consistency and closing out advantageous positions in high-pressure scenarios.

The Paris Grand Prix Chess continues to witness high-calibre matches as it inches closer to the championship title.