In the third round of the Sinquefield Cup, 18-year-old D Gukesh faced a perilous situation against fellow Indian R Praggnanandhaa. Gukesh’s move 34, pushing his Black King to d7, seemed potentially game-losing. Praggnanandhaa, with eight minutes on the clock, seized the advantage.
The computer engine favored Praggnanandhaa, who had a clear path to victory. However, on move 50, with only a minute remaining, Praggnanandhaa made a crucial mistake by playing Ke8 instead of Ke7. This error deprived him of Rd6+, a winning check, and the game was destined for a draw.
Two moves later, Gukesh spotted b5, allowing him to sacrifice his rook for a pawn and eventually capture Praggnanandhaa’s rook with a pawn. Gukesh had miraculously escaped a seemingly lost endgame.
Praggnanandhaa’s disappointment was evident as he twirled a piece and shook his head. Commentator Peter Svidler, also Praggnanandhaa’s trainer, noted that this was a recurring theme in their recent encounters, with Praggnanandhaa having missed several clear winning chances against Gukesh.
At the Prague Masters in March, Gukesh had also escaped a lost endgame against Praggnanandhaa, showcasing his tenacious defense. The rivalry between these two prodigies is intense, with both vying for the same goals.
Despite Praggnanandhaa’s strong performance for most of the game, he was unable to convert his advantage. Svidler emphasized that both players should take away positives from the game, as Praggnanandhaa had outplayed Gukesh in an endgame that was initially assumed to be an easy hold for Black.
After three rounds of the 10-player round robin tournament, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alireza Firouzja lead with two points each. Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh have both drawn their first three games in St Louis.
