MAXIME VACHIER –LAGRAVE TOPS THE TABLE AT THE END OF 2ND DAY OF OPEN TOURNAMENT OF TATA STEEL CHESS INDIA RAPID 2023

– THREE INDIAN GM’S TIED WITH 3 POINTS


Kolkata: The second day of Open tournament of Tata Steel Chess India Rapid 2023 witnessed a very tough battle across the 64 cheque boards. The Grandmasters had to fight it out tough for gaining a point. No one was willing to give their opponents any chance to gain any advantage. At the end of round 6 below is the standings

GM Maxime Vachier Lagrave with 4.5 points
GM Teimour Radjabov with 4 points

They are followed by GM R Praggnanandhaa; GM Vidit Gujrathi; GM Alexander Grischuk; and GM D Gukesh all with 3 points.

Round 4
The day started with all 5 games ending in decisive results. GM Vidit Gujrathi won against overnight joint leader, GM D Gukesh. GM Alexander Grischuk continued his unbeaten run with a victory over GM Arjun Erigaisi to move into sole lead. GM R Praggnanandhaa overcame GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov after a middlegame struggle. Pragg took over after a couple of inaccuracies by the young Uzbek, closing out the game in a Queen vs Rook endgame.

GM Teimour Radjabov notched up his third consecutive victory with a win over GM Harikrishna Pentala. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave beat GM Vincent Keymar with an inspired exchange sacrifice, winning in the endgame on move 53.

Round 5
GM Teimour Radjabov continued his streak with an extremely lucky victory over GM Alexander Grischuk. GM Harikrishna Pentala scored his first victory of the tournament overcoming GM R Praggnanandhaa in the endgame displaying excellent technique. GM Arjun Erigaisi scored a clutch win over GM Vidit Gujrathi with the white pieces playing the London Opening. GM D Gukesh drew his game against GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave

Round 6
GM Vidit Gujrathi scored a great victory over tournament leader, GM Teimour Radjabov playing a remarkable game with the white pieces. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave continued his unbeaten streak with a nice 47-move win over GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. The battle between Indian youngsters, GM D Gukesh and GM Arjun Erigaisi ended in a draw after exchanges in the middlegame led to a rook and knight endgame.

GM R Praggnanandhaa drew his game against GM Alexander Grischuk with black pieces in a 66 moves. Pragg equalized with the black pieces out of the opening before pieces were exchanged, leading to an equal rook endgame.

GM Harikrishna Pentala and GM Vincent Keymar also split the point in an eventful endgame as the Indian’s Queen was held by the German’s rook and knight.