Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa took a significant step towards qualifying for the finals of the Grand Chess Tour by defeating Vincent Keymer of Germany, taking a 9-3 lead in the process. This victory brings Pragg within six points of securing a spot in the finals of the $450,000 tournament, where the winner will receive $200,000.
The match was a game of fluctuating fortunes, with Pragg initially struggling as white. Keymer had control and a legitimate shot at attacking the white king, but ultimately fell for a tactical trick that netted Pragg a rook for a knight. This turned the position in favor of the Indian, leaving him with an advanced passed pawn and black’s rook entrapment.
As both players ran out of time, Keymer found a way to continue, but Pragg showed little lenience in the second time control. He was close to checkmating the king when Keymer resigned on his 55th move.
In the other semifinal, Fabiano Caruana of the United States let slip a winning position against compatriot Wesley So. Despite showcasing brilliant preparation and calling the shots from the beginning, Caruana made judgmental errors that allowed So to capitalize and reach a drawn King and pawns endgame.
The grand finale has a total of 28 points at stake, with anyone scoring 15 points qualifying for the finals. The losing semifinalist will play against each other to determine the third place finisher. The top three will receive a direct invite to next year’s Grand Chess tour, with the winner earning $200,000, the second placed earning $125,000, and the third placed earning $75,000.
Results from round 2 of the Classical event saw R Praggnanandhaa (India, 9) beat Vincent Keymer (Germany, 3), while Fabiano Caruana (USA, 6) drew with Wesley So (USA, 6).
