Gukesh up towards Abdusattorov after first relaxation day; Praggnanandhaa faces Wei Yi

Grandmaster D. Gukesh has displaced Erigaisi to change into the brand new world No. 4 together with his constant efficiency within the first match as World Champion. File
| Photograph Credit score: PTI

World champion D. Gukesh will look be part of the leaders when he takes on Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan after a relaxation day on Friday (January 24, 2025), whereas R. Praggnanandhaa will hope to cement his place on the prime when he faces defending champion Wei Yi of China within the sixth spherical of the Tata Metal Chess match in Netherlands.

Praggnanandhaa and Abdusattorov share the pole place with 4 factors apiece after 5 spherical, whereas Gukesh is in third spot with Vladimir Fedoseev of Slovenia on 3.5 factors.

One other half a degree behind is P. Harikrishna, who holds the fifth spot with eight rounds nonetheless to return within the first tremendous match of the yr.

Praggnanandhaa has been the star performer thus far within the match, clinching three wins over his Indian counterparts and drawing two. Victories towards Arjun Erigaisi, P. Harikrishna and Leon Luke Mendonca have propelled Praggnanandhaa within the top-10 in world rankings, marginally forward of five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.

Gukesh, in the meantime, has displaced Erigaisi to change into the brand new world No. 4 together with his constant efficiency within the first match as world champion. Whereas {the teenager} went by means of mind-boggling issues and survived a misplaced place towards Anish Giri of Holland, his second victory within the fifth spherical was a typical grind towards his buddy and second Vincent Keymer of Germany.

Harikrishna, barring the loss towards Praggnanandhaa, has carried out effectively and can meet Jorden van Foreest of Holland within the sixth spherical, a duel the place the Indian begins favorite with white items.

If there’s one one that may wish to flip the clock every week again, it’s Erigaisi who dropped out of the 2800 membership after a forgettable begin, which has bought him a mere one level from the primary 5 rounds. Within the subsequent spherical he’ll meet Fabiano Caruana.

For debutant Mendonca, it was a heartbreaking first-round loss towards Keymer however since then he has managed a few attracts for his one level.

Each Erigaisi and Mendonca should rating effectively within the remaining rounds to return out of the hopeless state of affairs.

Within the challengers’ part, R. Vaishali has had some good video games and her victory over Nodirbek Yakubboev of Uzbekistan was notably spectacular. With three factors in her bag, Vaishali has her activity minimize out towards Irina Bulmaga who’s struggling within the match with simply half a degree.

The opposite Indian within the challengers, Divya Deshmukh is on 1.5 factors and can face Faustino Oro, the youngest IM on this planet who hails from Argentina.

Pairings Spherical 6

Masters: Nodirbek Abdusattorov (Uzb, 4) vs D. Gukesh (Ind, 3.5); Leon Luke Mendonca (Ind, 1) vs Max Warmerdam (Ned, 2); Arjun Erigaisi (Ind, 1) vs Fabiano Caruana USA, 2.5); R. Praggnanandhaa (Ind, 4) vs Wei Yi (Chn, 2.5); P. Harikrishna (Ind, 3) Jorden van Foreest (Ned, 1.5); Vincent Keymer (Ger, 2.5) vs Anish Giri (Ned, 2); Alexey Sarana (Srb, 2.5) vs Vladimir Fedoseev (Slo, 3.5).

Challengers: Nodirbek Yakubboev (Uzb, 2.5) vs Frederik Svane (Ger, 2.5); Irina Bulmaga (Rom, 0.5) vs R Vaishali (Ind, 3); Benjamin Bok (Ned, 3.5) vs Nogerbek Kazybek (Kaz, 3); Arthur Pijpers(Ned, 1.5) vs Miaoyi Lu (Chn, 3); Divya Deshmukh (Ind, 1.5) vs Faustino Oro (Arg, 1.5); Nguyen Thai Dai Van (Cze, 3.5) vs Erwin L’Ami (Ned, 4); Aydin Suleymanli (Aze, 2.5) vs Ediz Gurel (Tur, 2.5).