Praggnanandhaa Wins, Gukesh and Erigaisi Draw in Round 2 of Tata Steel Chess Tournament

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa triumphed in the second round of the 87th Tata Steel Chess Tournament, defeating fellow countryman P Harikrishna. Meanwhile, his compatriots D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi settled for draws in their respective games.
The 19-year-old Praggnanandhaa delivered a brilliant display of defense and counter-attack to defeat Harikrishna, showcasing his tactical mastery. Harikrishna, playing white for the second consecutive day, struggled to find his rhythm despite performing slightly better in the middle game.
In another high-profile encounter, world champion D Gukesh faced Russian-turned-Slovenian Vladimir Fedoseev, with the match ending in a draw. Gukesh, who is in strong form, managed to hold his ground against the seasoned opponent.
Arjun Erigaisi also ended in a draw after facing a challenging game, while Leon Luke Mendonca suffered a defeat at the hands of Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
The Indian contingent continues to perform strongly at the prestigious tournament, with Praggnanandhaa’s win and the draws by Gukesh and Erigaisi keeping the momentum alive.