Erigaisi adds to Gukesh's misery with Classical win

MOMENTS after throwing in the towel against Arjun Erigaisi at the ongoing edition of Norway Chess on Wednesday, D Gukesh preferred to momentarily hide his eyes away from the crowd, the photographers and the assembled journalists inside the playing hall.

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN @ Stavanger

MOMENTS after throwing in the towel against Arjun Erigaisi at the ongoing edition of Norway Chess on Wednesday, D Gukesh preferred to momentarily hide his eyes away from the crowd, the photographers and the assembled journalists inside the playing hall. The disappointment of a second-straight loss was writ large on his face. After he got up from the gaming chair, he opened the door and stormed past several TV journalists, some of whom had already asked their questions. No questions would be answered today as he speed-walked his way out of the building and into one of the waiting cars.

The tournament may only be three days old but it has been a pretty frustrating experience for Gukesh so far. On Day One, Magnus Carlsen edged him in an endgame thriller after more or less staying level for the vast majority of the game. In the second game against Erigaisi, India No. 1 according to the FIDE ranking, the 18-year-old showed enough gumption and spirit to fight back from a vulnerable position.