Win eludes World Champion Gukesh again, Pragg remains in lead in Romania
R Praggnanandhaa of India. File photo: AFP/ Dibyangshu Sarkar
A win continues to elude World Champion D Gukesh in the Superbet Chess Classic Romania as he drew with Jan-Krzysztof Dufa in round five in Budapest.
Gukesh lost to Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the previous round on Saturday, but did well to force perpetual checks against Polish GM Duda. Gukesh has four draws in the event so far.
Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa shares the lead with Fabiano Caruana and Vachier-Lagrave on 3 points. The Tamil Nadu native drew with Frenchman Vachier-Lagrave in round five.
Three other games in the round also ended in draws, leaving no change in the standings, as the event takes a day’s break before round six.
Gukesh will play black against Alireza Firouzja, while Praggnanandhaa has Duda as his next opponent. The Classic event is being played in a single round-robin format.
Gukesh is still in search of a title since dethroning Ding Liren of China for the World Chess Championship last December. At 18, he became the youngest world champion.
Praggnanandhaa had defeated Gukesh in tie-breakers to win the Tata Steel Masters at Wijk aan Zee in the Netherlands in February. Pragg has a great chance to win a second title in three months.
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