New Delhi: Indian chess players showed grit and resilience in Round 3 of the FIDE Candidates Tournament on Tuesday, with R Praggnanandhaa falling to Javokhir Sindarov, while Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali produced strong draws to keep India in the spotlight.
Praggnanandhaa’s clash against Uzbek chess grandmaster Sindarov was a high-stakes tactical battle. The Indian Grandmaster faced early complications as Sindarov sacrificed a piece for two pawns and long-term initiative. Praggnanandhaa defended well, but as time pressure mounted, Sindarov capitalized to claim the full point. The game highlighted the challenges Indian players face at the highest level but also showcased Praggnanandhaa’s fighting spirit in a chaotic position, fide.com reported.
Deshmukh impressed with a remarkable escape against Russian Aleksandra Goryachkina. Under relentless pressure for over 50 moves, Divya navigated a complex rook endgame that could have gone either way. Despite being in a difficult position, she held her nerve and secured a draw, demonstrating composure and technical skill.
R Vaishali also stood out for her precision and discipline. Against Ukrainian grandmaster Anna Muzychuk, she played an error-free game, maintaining a solid position from start to finish and earning a well-deserved draw. Her performance reflected strong technical understanding and patience in high-pressure situations.
While Indian players battled for every half-point, global stars also made headlines. American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana delivered a crushing victory over Wei Yi, using a tactical miniature to surge into the tournament lead. Caruana accepted Wei Yi’s ambitious pawn sacrifices and capitalized on the complications to secure a commanding win. Javokhir Sindarov joined him at the top after defeating Praggnanandhaa, proving why the tournament remains fiercely competitive.
