Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa suffered another setback in the Prague Masters Chess tournament, losing to Richard Rapport of Romania in the third round. This marks Praggnanandhaa's second consecutive loss, significantly impacting his standing in the competition.
Despite briefly surpassing Viswanthan Anand and claiming the top Indian status in the live rating list, Praggnanandhaa's recent defeats have dealt a blow to his aspirations. His loss to Rapport follows a string of missed opportunities, leaving him with an uphill battle to climb in the remaining six rounds of the 10-player round-robin contest.
Praggnanandhaa wasn't the only player to encounter setbacks in the tournament. Nodirbek Abdusattarov of Uzbekistan staged a remarkable comeback against local favorite David Navara, turning the tables from a seemingly hopeless position. Meanwhile, the duel between Vidit Gujrathi and D Gukesh ended in a stalemate, with neither player able to secure a decisive advantage.
Parham Maghsoodloo, the overnight sole leader from Iran, was held to a draw by top German player Vincent Keymer, further shaking up the leaderboard.
In a separate development from Shenzen, China, Arjun Erigaisi clinched the title of India's new number one player by defeating Xiangyu Yu of China in the first round of the Shenzen Masters.
With Abdusattarov joining Maghsoodloo in the lead with 2.5 points each, the competition at Prague Masters intensifies. Gukesh and Rapport closely trail behind with 2 points apiece, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in the subsequent rounds. Gujrathi, standing at fifth place with 1.5 points, maintains a narrow lead over Praggnanandhaa and others.
Praggnanandhaa showcased promising gameplay against Rapport but faltered in the critical moments. Despite making rapid progress in the center and launching a king-side attack, Praggnanandhaa failed to capitalize on his advantage. Rapport's resilient defense eventually turned the tide, sealing the victory for the Romanian player.
As the Prague Masters Chess tournament progresses, all eyes are on the players as they vie for supremacy on the chessboard. With each round presenting new challenges and opportunities, the competition promises to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide.
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