Chess
Superbet Classics Round 2: Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa hold ground with draws
Indian Grandmasters D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa played solidly to draw their second-round games at the Superbet Classics 2025, holding off top opponents with black pieces.
R Praggnanandhaa (left) and D Gukesh (right). (Photo Credit: Lennart Ootes/Grand Chess Tour)
Indian chess stars D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa continued their steady start at the Superbet Classics 2025 in Bucharest, recording draws in their respective second-round encounters.
Gukesh, playing with the black pieces against Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, kept things under control in an Italian Opening.
The 18-year-old Indian GM neutralised early pressure and slowly steered the game into an equal position. Despite some sharp play from the Uzbek, Gukesh held firm and comfortably navigated into a heavy-piece endgame where he never looked in danger.
Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa also played with black and managed a solid result against American GM Fabiano Caruana. The game remained balanced throughout, with neither player taking unnecessary risks. Both sides shook hands for a draw after reaching a stable middle game position.
With two rounds completed, both Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa now sit on one point each.
The Superbet Classics is part of the Grand Chess Tour, featuring some of the world’s top players. As the tournament progresses, the Indian duo will be looking to convert their solidity into victories in the coming rounds.
