India’s R Praggnanandhaa continues to impress in the Superbet rapid and blitz chess tournament, securing another victory over world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway. However, Wei Yi of China has extended his lead to a commanding 2.5 points after the first day of blitz.
With nine rounds remaining in the blitz event, Wei Yi has accumulated an impressive 20.5 points, including seven wins on the opening day. The Chinese prodigy appears unstoppable and is poised to claim the first leg of the Grand Chess Tour unless a significant setback occurs.
Carlsen, with 18 points, trails Wei Yi by a significant margin. Praggnanandhaa’s consistent victories over the world champion in rapid chess have contributed to Carlsen’s current position. However, Praggnanandhaa remains behind the leaders with 14.5 points, making it a two-horse race for the title.
Arjun Erigaisi of India occupies fourth place with 14 points, followed by Duda Jan-Krzysztof of Poland with 13 points. Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan and Vincent Keymer of Germany are in sixth and seventh place, respectively, with 12.5 and 11.5 points.
Anish Giri of Holland has improved his position to ninth with 10.5 points. In contrast, world championship challenger D. Gukesh of India continues to struggle, languishing at the bottom of the standings with 9.5 points.
Carlsen has acknowledged that his nervous system was affected by his second-round loss to Praggnanandhaa. The world number one managed to secure six points out of nine, a respectable result, but he suffered another blunder against Abdusattorov after his defeat to the Indian prodigy.
Wei Yi began the day with a loss to Gukesh but quickly recovered, conceding only a draw to Carlsen while winning the remaining seven games. Gukesh had a challenging day despite his strong start against the tournament leader, scoring only 2.5 points.
Arjun’s victories over Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh keep him in contention for a podium finish. Despite losses to Wei Yi and Carlsen, Arjun secured five wins and two draws in his other games, giving him optimism for the final day.
