Caruana Takes 6-0 Lead Over Praggnanandhaa in GCT Final
· Sports · Indian Express, Chess News | ChessBase, Chess
Defending champion Fabiano Caruana moved a step closer to a record third Grand Chess Tour title after beating India's R Praggnanandhaa in the first Classical game of the GCT Final in New Delhi on Wednesday. Playing the Four Knights of the Giuoco Piano, Praggnanandhaa held an equal position until his 28th move (Rook to c8), which handed Caruana a significant edge and the initiative. Caruana converted with an active bishop and an extra pawn, forcing resignation on move 48 to take a 6-0 lead in the final. The article notes that Praggnanandhaa, the first Indian to win Norway Chess and a recent Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz champion, is showing signs of fatigue from a packed schedule of non-stop events.
Why it matters
Trailing 6-0 in the final leaves Praggnanandhaa with a steep uphill task to overturn Caruana, while raising questions about workload management for India's top Grandmaster on the global circuit.
Read the original report — Indian Express
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