R Praggnanandhaa Claims Victory at Grand Chess Tour's Superbet Classic

In a remarkable display of skill, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa triumphed at the Superbet Classic, marking his first victory on the Grand Chess Tour. After a tense tiebreaker against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alireza Firouzja, Praggnanandhaa emerged victorious, showcasing his resilience following a challenging previous year. His strategic gameplay and ability to recover from difficult positions were key to his success. This win not only highlights his talent but also sets the stage for his future in competitive chess. Read on to discover more about his journey and the thrilling matches that led to this significant achievement.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 18, 2025, 03:27 IST

Praggnanandhaa Triumphs in Superbet Classic

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa achieved a significant milestone by defeating France's Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, securing his inaugural tournament win on the Grand Chess Tour during the Superbet Classic.

After drawing against Armenian-American GM Levon Aronian in the final round, Praggnanandhaa guaranteed himself a share of the top position.

Both Vachier-Lagrave and Alireza Firouzja also finished with 5.5 points, prompting a tiebreaker among the three competitors, which consisted of five-minute games with a two-second increment for each move.

In the initial game, Praggnanandhaa faced a challenging position with the black pieces against Firouzja, ultimately resulting in a draw. The second game concluded with Firouzja and Vachier-Lagrave also drawing.

In the decisive final game, Praggnanandhaa broke through Vachier-Lagrave's defenses, clinching the top prize. He scored 1.5 points in the blitz rounds, outperforming Firouzja by half a point and Vachier-Lagrave by one point.

This victory marks a remarkable comeback for Praggnanandhaa, especially after his disappointing performance in last year's playoffs where he lost all his matches.

Reflecting on his experience, Praggnanandhaa remarked, 'I didn’t do so well last time. I guess getting to rest a few hours before the tiebreak certainly helps,' during the award ceremony.

Following his early draw with Aronian in the Classical game, he took some time to rest in his room before the tiebreak.