Praggnanadhaa and Gukesh share points in Tata Steel Masters clash
NEW DELHI: In a highly anticipated encounter at the Tata Steel Masters in Wijk aan Zee, Grandmaster R Praggnanadhaa held World Champion D Gukesh to a solid draw in the eighth round. Playing with the white pieces, Praggnanadhaa opted for the Berlin Defense and managed to achieve a slightly favorable position. However, Gukesh’s precise defense neutralized any threats.
The turning point came in the early middlegame when Gukesh sacrificed a pawn to generate counterplay. Despite Praggnanadhaa’s efforts to capitalize on the material advantage, the game remained balanced. As the queens were traded, the position simplified into a rook-and-minor-piece endgame, with Gukesh skillfully creating an outside passed pawn. Praggnanadhaa’s rook had to focus solely on containing the pawn, ensuring the game remained firmly in drawing territory. After 33 moves, both players agreed to a draw.
With this result, Praggnanadhaa and Gukesh are likely to remain co-leaders with 5.5 points each, as Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan also appeared poised to split points with fourth-placed Vladimir Fedoseev of Slovenia. The competition remains intense as the final rounds approach.(Reuters)
