Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa wins maiden Grand Chess Tour event in Romania, Gukesh finishes 6th
Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa won the Chess Classic Romania 2025, his first Grand Chess Tour victory.
The main event ended in a three-way tie. Praggnanandhaa, French Grandmasters Alireza Firouzja and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave—all three of them finished on 5.5 points after 10 rounds.
Tie-break 1: The game between Alireza Firouzja and Praggnanandhaa ended in a draw. Both players were awarded 0.5 points.
Tie-break 2: The game between the two French Grandmasters ended in a draw. Both players were awarded 0.5 points.
Tie-break 3: Praggnanandhaa defeated Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in just 16 seconds and got 1 point to win the tournament.
Praggnanandhaa earned $77,667 (roughly Rs. 66, 48, 345) as prize money and was awarded 10 Grand Chess Tour (GCT) points. The 19-year-old youngster from Chennai expressed his feelings on Social media.
Top-seeded Gukesh, the current World Chess champion could only finish 6th in the event. Gukesh earned $17,125 (roughly Rs. 14, 65, 911) and got 3.5 GCT points.
Praggnanandhaa finished third in the 'Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland' event held in Warsaw last month. The next event 'SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia' will happen in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rollercoaster ride from local rinks to global podium: Skater boys from Gurgaon shine at Asian championships
Gurgaon: "Jab bacche chalna seekhte hai, inhone skating karni shuru kar di thi (the age at which kids learn how to walk, these two had started skating)," Suman Yadav said of her son Krish (17) and his friend Devansh Sharma (18). With the exception of different schools, Krish and Devansh have been inseparable since childhood. They'd go to practice together and hang out at each other's houses often. It was in 2019 that they stepped into the rink of competitive skating for the first time. The duo, who initially trained in speed skating but shifted to inline hockey due to infrastructure necessities, was selected for the National Sub-Junior Championship that year. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon The competition cemented their path. The big break came in 2023, when Krish and Devansh – together once again – were chosen to represent India's under 19 team in inline hockey at the 19th Asian Championship held in China. The team's last-place finish only fueled the teenagers' ambition, and years of practice and dedication paid off this week. The two, along with another Gurgaon resident Kaviin Raghav, were part of India's 16-member team that won the bronze for inline hockey at the 20th Asian Roller Skating Championships, held in South Korea's Jecheon this July. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain Keeping You Up at Night? This Trick Could Help Instantly Read More Undo "When we first wore the Indian jersey in 2023, it felt like a dream come true. This medal feels even more special because we came from a place of failure. We worked harder, and finally reached the podium," Devansh, still standing alongside Krish at his house in the city, told TOI. The Indian team, according to the teens, met its toughest opponent in Taiwan at the Asian Roller Skating Championships, but went on to win comfortably with a score of 3-1. The boys then defeated Iran and South Korea before being pitted against China in the match for a bronze. India led 2-1, but the opposition pressed hard. "Krish literally put his body on the line. He took several hits from the puck — he has bruises all over — but he didn't flinch. That medal was earned with blood and grit," Devansh said. Krish added, "This championship was a rollercoaster for all of us. We learned new things and made new friends. This championship was one of the best experiences I have had in my journey till now." Kaviin, the son of two electrical engineers who moved to Gurgaon from Tamil Nadu when he was only six months old, said he came into the mix later, but has been close to Devansh and Krish for a decade now. "We have been playing together for 10 years. They are like my brothers, and they really supported me throughout this journey. They have played in three internationals, and as it was my first international (competition), they helped me deal with nervousness and anxiety," he said. On the bronze medal, Kaviin said, "Representing the Indian national team was a proud moment for me. Not only for me, but for my family, my friends and my entire society." The journey to the international stage wasn't easy for either. "We began practising in basketball courts because there were no proper skating rinks… The first rink we trained at came up in Samaspur village, and later we moved to a better facility at Vivekanand School," Devansh said. Infrastructure wasn't easily available, but the skaters' families rallied behind them. Devansh's grandfather, Colonel RK Sharma (retd), was a constant presence. "He might skip a society meeting or a family function, but he never missed picking up Devansh from practice. He's like a coach, driver and biggest cheerleader -- all rolled into one," said a family friend. Col Sharma said Devansh's father is in the Merchant Navy and his mother works for a corporate firm in the city. "They (parents) are busy with work… I've seen Devansh and Krish's passion up close. I'm proud to support them however I can," the 75-year-old said. India's, and the team's performance in South Korea has enthused the local community, but it has also given them reason to appeal the govt for support. Families say they have spent Rs 5-6 lakh each on training camps, equipment, diets and travel — all from their own pockets. "There's zero financial aid, no infrastructure support and no acknowledgement from the state. These kids have the talent and the drive, but how long can families keep funding everything on their own," questioned Krish's father Narender Yadav, a businessman, said. Krish's mother Suman said the families had even protested outside the then-Haryana sports minister's house in 2019. "We were hopeful things would change with a new govt, but the silence continues," she said. Haryana's current sports minister did not respond to requests for comment till Sunday night. For now, the boys are back to their routines, training harder and dreaming bigger. "We don't want to stop here. We want to win the World Championships for India, maybe even the Olympics, if the sport is introduced someday," said Devansh. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
HCL India Squash Tour 2025: Top seedings for Egypt's Yassine Shohadi, Noor Khafagi; Joshna, Nirupama withdraw; Rajasthan's Chhabi Saran in main draw
1 2 Jaipur: Egypt's Yassine Shohadi and Nour Khafagi have been given top seeding in the men's and women's categories, respectively in the first leg of the HCL India Squash Tour 2025 starting at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium here on Monday under the joint aegis of the Squash Rackets Federation of India and HCL. Star Indian squash players Joshna Chinappa and Nirupama Dubey withdrew just a day before the start of the tournament, allowing Rajasthan's Chhabi Saran to enter the main draw. Squash Rackets Federation of India vice-president Surabhi Mishra said here on Sunday that Egypt's Yassine Shohadi has been given the top seed in the matches starting from Monday. Japan's Tomo Endo has got the second seed, Sri Lanka's Ravindu Laksiri has got the third seed and Malaysia's Darin Pragasus has got the fourth seed. Surabhi Mishra informed that Suraj Kumar Chand is the only Indian in the top 8 in the men's category, who has been given the sixth seed. India's Rahul Baitha, Aryaveer Diwan, Ayan Wazir Ali and Diwakar Singh will also challenge. Surabhi said that in the women's category too, Egypt's Noor Khafagi is the top seed. Egypt's Menna Waleed is second, Japan's Akari Midorikawa is third, while Malaysia's Go Zhi Xuan is the fourth seed. She said that among the top-8 Indian players, Tanvi Khanna has been seeded fifth, Anjali Semwal sixth, Shamina Riyaz seventh and Zenit Vidhi eighth. India has a total of 17 players in the women's main draw, including Sanvi Batra, Pooja Aarti, Aradhana Kasturi Raj, Anika Dubey, Tanishka Jain, Aradhana Paudwal, Sanya Bats and Unnati Tripathi. Surabhi Mishra said that squash has also been included in the Los Angeles Olympics to be held in 2028. Keeping this in mind, the Federation and HCL India have started the India Squash Tour. After Jaipur, the upcoming stages of the India Tour will be played in Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Delhi. This will provide international competition to Indian players and help them prepare for the Olympic Games. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
India on brink of famous win despite Root, Brook tons as rain takes game to Day 5
LONDON: Rain in the evening session pushed the series deciding final Test to day five after a down and out India managed stay in the game yet again following fine hundreds from Joe Root and Harry Brook that almost sealed the contest for England. Like it has been the case through the English summer, a spirited India found a way to fight back through their undeterred spirit after England needed just 57 runs to complete the chase at tea. Root (105) and Brook (111 off 98) were running away with the contest but Mohammed Siraj and Co refused to give up post the break. While Brook was dismissed before tea, Root was caught behind off Prasidh Krishna after the lanky Indian pacer had found the stumps of a struggling Jacob Bethell, leaving the home team at 337 for six. Root got out soon after racking up his 39th Test hundred, 13th versus India and third of the series. The old ball which was not doing a thing in the afternoon session started aiding the pacers, and the scoreboard hardly moved. Suddenly, the remaining 37 runs seemed a long way off. Jamie Overton and Jamie Smith were in the middle when bad light stopped play with the momentum in India's favour. England were 339 for six and new ball just 3.4 overs away.
