It was pragnanandhaa’s moment as he reigned Supreme to clinch the title at the tata chess masters 2025. It wasn’t an easy campaign for the 19-yar-ald as he Had to relay all hes Kesh in The standings. At one point, the reigning world champion was the sole leader in wijk aan zee.
But then Gukesh Went Through a Poor Patch of Form Towards the End, Losing to Arjun Erigaisi in round 13 on Sunday. Before the Tournament, Erigaisi was the India No. 1, but gukesh’s performance was always his country from that position and become the country’s top-most ranked player. But Erigaisi had the last laugh, as he took on the role of chaos maker. First He Beat Title Contender Nodirbek Abdusattorov in round 12, and then followed it up with a one-sided win over gukesh.
On the other hand, Pragnanandhaa Lost to Vincent Keymer, Who Assisted Gukesh in Singapore Last Year. But he was level with gukesh at the standings, which meant that they would have to battle it out in a tie-breker round to decide to decide the title winner.
‘Late in Chennai .. Co-Champions Maybe?’: Anish Giri
Reacting to the development, dutch gm anish giri decided to take an indirect dig at magnus carlsen’s world blitz championship controversy with russian IAN nepomniachti. Taking to x, he reminded the organizers that it was close to midnight in chennai, where both Indian grandmasters are from.
He Quipped, “It’s Late in Chennai .. Co-Champions Maybe?”
During the blitz c’Ship, carlseen and his opponent controversally shared the title after drawing in the tie-breker found. The pair we also cavet on camera agreing to play Draws Again if the Fide did not agree to the norwegian’s demand of sharing the title. Later, Carlsen Broke His Silence on the Incident on X, And Stated that his comments were a joke, when considered in registered to fide’s poor tie-breker rules.
Interestingly at the tata masters, if there are two players in the tiebreaker round, a play-off match of two games is played. A drawing of lots is used to decide which player will start with which color. If the play-off match ends in a tie, a Sudden Death Game will be played to decide the Winner, and that’s what happyned between gukesh, pragnanandhaa.
The tie-breker round in wijk aan zee began with a win for gukesh. But then Pragnanandhaa Foght Back With Ease to Grab Back-to-to Wins.
