India’s Arjun Erigaisi storms into the semifinals of the USD 750,000 Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour. He defeated Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov with a commanding 1.5-0.5 score. Meanwhile, R Praggnanandhaa fought hard but fell to USA’s Fabiano Caruana in a thrilling 3-4 match. The tournament, held in 2025, showcases top chess talent. Arjun’s victory keeps India’s hopes alive for a historic title.
Arjun Erigaisi Dominates in Freestyle Grand Slam Chess
Arjun Erigaisi showcased his brilliance against Abdusattorov. In the second game, playing white, he gained a rook for a bishop early. This advantage allowed him to overpower his opponent swiftly. The first game saw Arjun hold a slight edge after the opening. However, minor errors later gave Abdusattorov a half point. “I felt confident from the start,” Arjun said in a post-match interview. His strategic play now pits him against USA’s Levon Aronian in the semifinals. Aronian advanced after defeating compatriot Hikaru Nakamura 2.5-1.5.
Other quarterfinal results included Hans Moke Niemann’s 4-2 victory over Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov. Fabiano Caruana’s win over Praggnanandhaa was a seven-game battle. Caruana clinched the decisive final game. Niemann now faces Caruana in the other semifinal matchup. The Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour, known for its dynamic format, keeps fans on edge.
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Praggnanandhaa’s Thrilling Run and Lower Bracket Battles
R Praggnanandhaa’s quarterfinal clash with Caruana was intense. He led three times, winning the first, third, and fifth games. However, Caruana fought back each time, leveling the score. The American won the seventh game to advance. He now moves to the lower bracket, joining seven others, including India’s Vidit Gujrathi. Gujrathi lost 2-0 to world number one Magnus Carlsen. Wesley So defeated Samuel Sevian 1.5-0.5, while Leinier Dominguez Perez beat Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva by the same score. Germany’s Vincent Keymer also advanced, defeating Robson Ray 2.5-1.5.
Fans eagerly await his next matches. The Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour continues to deliver exciting battles, with India’s stars leading the charge.
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