Pragg defeats Gukesh to emerge Tata Steel champ

It came down to two Indian co-leaders in the final round of the Tata Steel Masters – reigning world champion D Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa.

- Susan Ninan

BENGALURU:

As luck would have it, Gukesh's first loss as world champion ended up arriving on the day he could least afford it.

In Round 13 in Wijk Aan Zee, the 18-year-old world champion lost to fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi, and all Praggnanandhaa needed was a draw against Vincent Keymer to become champion. In a day of high drama and twists, Praggnanandhaa ended up losing to Keymer and an all-Indian tiebreak followed.

In the two-game blitz play-off match of 3 minutes with a two-second increment per move, Gukesh started with the White pieces after a draw of lots. Praggnanandhaa blundered, lost his rook and was faced with the task of striking with White in the second game to keep the tie-break going.