R Praggnanandhaa Claims UzChess Cup Masters 2025 Title, Climbs To Career-Best Ranking
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Praggnanandhaa edged out Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov to the top spot in a tie-breaker at Tashkent and moved up to No.4 in the rankings with the triumph.
R Praggnanandhaa. (X)
Indian GM R Praggnanandhaa won the UZChess Cup Masters 2025 event in Tashkent on Friday as the teenager edged out Nodirbek Abdusattorov and Javokhir Sindarov to the top spot in dramatic fashion.
The 19-year-old Indian also climbed to No.4 in the World Rankings following his triumph in Uzbekistan as he leapfrogged compatriots D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi.
The win also proved to be the Indian's third crown of the year, following triumphs at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament and the Grand Chess Tour Superbet Classic in Romania.
'Wrapped up the #UzChessCup Masters with a win in the final round and wins in tie breaks," Praggnanandhaa posted on social media platform X, foremrly Twitter, following the nerve-wrecking victory.
'Tiebreaks were crazy indeed. Grateful for all the support that I have received so far," he added.
'Onto my next challenge to Croatia," the Indian GM's update read.
Praggnanandhaa began the final day trailing local favourite Nodirbek Abdusattorov by one point and Javokhir Sindarov by half a point. A crucial victory over Abdusattorov in the final round allowed him to tie with both players at 5.5 points at the conclusion of the round-robin stage. Erigaisi missed the chance to create a four-way tie after drawing with Aravindh Chithambaram.
In the first round of tiebreaks, a double round-robin blitz, all three players ended with two points each. Abdusattorov and Sindarov drew both their games, while Praggnanandhaa won both with white but lost with black.
In the second tiebreak, Praggnanandhaa drew with Abdusattorov with white and defeated Sindarov with black. Sindarov's win over Abdusattorov secured the title for the Indian.
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