Zagreb: Pragg wins three video games in a row, catches Firouzja

Firouzja and Pragg share the lead, MVL and Abdusattorov some extent behind

Friday was a terrific day for Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu on the Super Rapid & Blitz in Zagreb, Croatia. With three consecutive wins – in opposition to Ivan Saric, Bogdan-Daniel Deac and Anish Giri – he catapulted himself into first place with 12 factors. He shares the main place with Alireza Firouzja, who ended the earlier two days as sole chief. On Friday, Firouzja drew twice, in opposition to world champion Gukesh Dommaraju and Jorden van Foreest, and misplaced his encounter in opposition to Nodirbek Abdusattorov.

Anish Giri 0 – 2 Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (spherical 9)

Maurice Ashley interviewed Praggnanandhaa after the day’s three video games, and collectively they mentioned the result of the sport in opposition to Anish Giri. Pragg was happy with his response to Giri’s transfer 33.Qa5. In the interview, he stated that he had not thought-about the transfer beforehand and was thus irritated, however then realised that he might play a powerful reply.

After 34…Rxf2, White resigned and Praggnanandhaa celebrated his third win of the day. Pragg can’t relaxation on his laurels, nonetheless. He not solely shares first place with Firouzja – the remainder of the sphere is shut behind. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Nodirbek Abdusattorov comply with one level again on 11 factors, whereas Vincent Keymer and Gukesh share fifth place on 10 factors.

Co-leader Alireza Firouzja | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Nodirbek Abdusattorov scored two wins and a draw on Friday | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Keymer drew all three of his video games on day three of the competitors – in opposition to Giri, Gukesh and Vachier-Lagrave – and because of this shares fifth place with Gukesh, each on 10 factors.

Anish Giri 1 – 1 Vincent Keymer (spherical 7)

After Giri went in for the change of rook for knight and pawn, Keymer exchanged his bishop pair for the 2 white knights. The gamers thus transposed into an endgame with two rooks, a queen and 7 pawns in opposition to rook, bishop, queen and eight pawns.

Vincent Keymer, in fifth place, nonetheless has room to climb within the standings – within the blitz, the playing cards can be reshuffled | Photo: Lennart Ootes

Final standings – Rapid (win = 2 pts, draw = 1 pt)

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