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World Champion D Gukesh wins rapid title at Grand Chess Tour 2025 Zagreb

World Champion D Gukesh wins rapid title at Grand Chess Tour 2025 Zagreb

India Today4 hours ago
Reigning World Champion D. Gukesh underlined his growing stature on the global stage, clinching the rapid title at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz tournament - part of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour - in Zagreb, Croatia, on Friday. The 19-year-old showcased composure, tactical precision and blistering form to finish with 14 points from a possible 18, sealing top honours in commanding fashion.advertisementHis campaign began with an early stumble - a first-round defeat to Jan-Krzysztof Duda. But that only sparked a remarkable turnaround. Gukesh responded with five consecutive victories, including a clinical dismantling of World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 4, a result that firmly placed him in control of the leaderboard.He capped off the rapid section with a signature win over Wesley So of the United States in the final round - a composed 36-move performance that exploited a tactical oversight to convert a material edge into two full points. It was a fitting end to a run that included six wins, two draws, and a solitary loss.World Champion Gukesh @DGukesh wins Grand Chess Tour Croatia rapid https://t.co/ww3WCIsgfi— Chessdom (@chessdom) July 4, 2025
Day 3 began with a quiet draw against Dutch GM Anish Giri, as the players reached a near-locked middlegame and shook hands. The second game of the day - against Croatia's Ivan Aric—was a lengthy contest where Gukesh employed the Marshall Gambit. The 87-move encounter eventually ended in a draw, but showed Gukesh's readiness to fight for every inch.Carlsen made an encouraging start to the final day, defeating Fabiano Caruana in his opening game, but a subsequent draw against Nodirbek Abdusattorov put paid to his chances of closing the gap. Duda, the only player to defeat Gukesh in Zagreb, finished second, his consistency keeping the pressure alive until the end.R. Praggnanandhaa, the other Indian on the field, had a more subdued outing. He picked up one win - against Aric—and drew seven of his nine games, finishing with nine points. While off the pace in Zagreb, the 18-year-old remains a strong contender in the overall standings, having won the Bucharest leg and secured third place in Warsaw.The blitz section of the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz gets underway on Saturday and concludes on 6 July. Combined points from both formats will determine the overall winner.With two more stops to follow - in the United States (August) and Brazil (September-October) - Gukesh's imperious form in Zagreb could prove a defining moment in what is shaping up to be a landmark year for Indian chess.- Ends
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Why it's Testing times for coach Gautam Gambhir and Team India
Why it's Testing times for coach Gautam Gambhir and Team India

India Today

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Why it's Testing times for coach Gautam Gambhir and Team India

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'I wouldn't pick this gentleman': Ex-England captain slams Prasidh Krishna after another disappointing performance for India
'I wouldn't pick this gentleman': Ex-England captain slams Prasidh Krishna after another disappointing performance for India

First Post

timean hour ago

  • First Post

'I wouldn't pick this gentleman': Ex-England captain slams Prasidh Krishna after another disappointing performance for India

On a day when Indian pacers, Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep, went all over on England, Prasidh Krishna had a day to forget. Noting his performance, a former England captain has given a harsh verdict on Prasidh. read more Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep emerged as the heroes for Team India on Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test against England. The duo picked up the entire English lineup- Siraj took 6 wickets and Akash Deep snared 4 dismissals. While Siraj and Akash prevailed in attaining purchase from the surface, it was a different scenario for the third bowler of the Indian pace battery. Prisidh Krishna went wicketless and was hammered by Jamie Smith and Harry Brook intermittently. He was given only 13 overs to bowl and in it, he conceded 73 runs, which can be adjudged quite expensive in the world of Test cricket. Krishna had a forgetful outing in the Oval Test as well, and after yet another flop show experts are losing patience on him. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | Harry Brook and Jamie Smith smash records as England mount thrilling comeback against India at Edgbaston Michael Atherton goes harsh on Prasidh Krishna Former England captain Michael Atherton showcased his angst with Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir over the selection of Prisidh Krishna. Atherton did not mince any words and went harsh by stating that if he were at the place of Shubman Gill then he would not have picked Krishna, but rather entrusted Kuldeep Yadav to do the job for him. 'I wouldn't pick this gentleman, Prasidh Krishna. I would have picked Kuldeep Yadav,' said Atherton in commentary when Krishna was being hammered all over the ground by Smith and Brook. While Prasidh Krishna has had a dry run till now in the series, there is still time left for him to overturn the tide. However, he would have to perform in the second innings and justify his selection in the team. India gain massive advantage over England on Day 3 Having posted a massive total of 587 on the board, Team India endured the batting heroics of Harry Brook and Jamie Smith, and still managed to bundle out England at the score of 407. A lead of 180 has been garnered, which took the shape of 244 at stumps, following a positive display of batting by Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul. Day 4 will be crucial and could reveal the winner. India will start the Day 4 proceedings at 64/1.

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