Pranesh Beats Gukesh Again; Firouzja Leads as Nihal Topples Erigaisi in Chennai
GM M Pranesh registered a second victory over world champion D Gukesh, while GM Nihal Sarin defeated Arjun Erigaisi in Round 6. French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja moved into sole lead after drawing his game in the Chennai Grand Masters.
The Chennai Grand Masters has drawn a collection of elite grandmasters competing for substantial prize money. The field includes nationally and internationally ranked players, and results from the latest round shifted several standings. Erigaisi’s loss left him level with Abdusattorov on 3.5 points, underscoring the tight scoring among the front runners.
GM M Pranesh’s latest win over world champion D Gukesh marked the second time the Indian grandmaster has prevailed against the reigning champion in this event. The result again pitted the two players against one another with Pranesh emerging successful, furthering his personal record against Gukesh. The match reinforced Pranesh’s competitive form within the elite tournament setting.
GM Nihal Sarin secured a crucial victory against Arjun Erigaisi in Round 6, a result that impacted the middle of the leaderboard. Nihal’s win broke Erigaisi’s momentum in the event and contributed to the reshuffling of point totals among the top competitors. Following the defeat, Erigaisi was tied with Abdusattorov on 3.5 points, reflecting the closely contested nature of the tournament standings.
French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja advanced into sole possession of the lead after drawing his game, moving ahead of his nearest rivals in total points. Firouzja’s steady performance in the round allowed him to separate himself at the top of the table. The draw conserved his score while other decisive results among contenders altered the rankings.
The tournament continues to feature top grandmasters from around the world, each chasing tournament honors and a share of the significant prize fund on offer. With multiple rounds remaining, the standings remain dynamic as players trade wins, draws, and losses. The Chennai Grand Masters remains a focal point for high-level competitive chess in the calendar.
Results from the round have left a compact leaderboard and several notable narratives to monitor as play continues. The mix of decisive games and draws, including Firouzja’s move into sole lead and Pranesh’s repeat victory over Gukesh, highlights the event’s competitive balance. The competition will press on as participants vie for final positions and prize money.