Indian chess star Praggnanandhaa endured a marathon 10-hour, seven-game match against Fabiano Caruana, eventually losing, even as fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi advanced to the semifinals of the Las Vegas Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour.
The Epic Showdown
The Las Vegas leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour witnessed an incredible spectacle as Praggnanandhaa faced off against Fabiano Caruana. Their contest stretched for over 10 hours, encompassing a thrilling seven-game series.
This “royal rumble” was packed with drama, featuring unexpected blunders, players winning crucial games on demand, and even a unique Armageddon tie-breaker.
A Battle of Wills: Game by Game
The clash began with two 30-minute games, plus 30 seconds per move. Praggnanandhaa won the first with white pieces, putting pressure on Caruana. The American grandmaster responded by winning the second game with white, helped by a critical rook blunder from Praggnanandhaa under time pressure.
With the score tied, they moved to two 10-minute games, with 10 seconds per move increment. Again, Praggnanandhaa took the lead, winning the first with black. But Caruana swiftly equalized in the reverse fixture.
The intensity ratcheted up further in two 5-minute blitz games, with a 2-second increment. The first was a chaotic time scramble, with fortunes swinging wildly. Caruana ultimately triumphed, forcing Praggnanandhaa to win the next game to stay alive. The Indian prodigy rose to the occasion, winning on demand and forcing the ultimate decider: Armageddon.
The Unique Armageddon Decider
The Armageddon format at this tournament had an innovative twist. Instead of standard rules, players secretly bid on the amount of time they would take to play as black, with the lower bid winning the right to play black (and draw odds).
Praggnanandhaa bid 4 minutes and 27 seconds for black, while Caruana bid 4 minutes and 2 seconds. This meant Caruana played with black, having 4 minutes and 2 seconds on his clock and needing only a draw, while Praggnanandhaa had 5 minutes as white but needed a win.
It was in this high-stakes final game that Praggnanandhaa finally conceded, bringing the marathon match to an end.
Caruana Reflects on the Marathon
Fabiano Caruana spoke about the epic contest, admitting it was unlike any he’d experienced. “It’s amazing. I’ve had a few of these matches, but none quite this long,” he told the official Freestyle Chess YouTube channel.
He highlighted the numerous swings and comebacks, especially his ability to recover after losing with white. Caruana also shared insights into his Armageddon strategy, preferring to play as black even with less time.
“It feels a bit easier to play freely with black, which is why I went a bit lower,” he explained, noting the pressure white faces to gain an advantage.
Semifinals Lineup
While the focus was on the Pragg-Caruana drama, other players also battled for their spots. Arjun Erigaisi secured his semi-final berth with a straightforward two-game victory over Nodirbek Abdusattorov, winning the second game after a draw in the first.
Joining Arjun Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana in the semifinals are Hans Niemann and Levon Aronian, setting the stage for more thrilling chess action.
Other Tournament Action
In the lower bracket, Magnus Carlsen defeated Indian grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi in both their games. Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, and Leinier Dominguez also won their respective ties.
These victories led to the elimination of Gujrathi, Sam Sevian, Ray Robson, and Bibisara Assaubayeva, who all shared 13th place in the tournament.
- Praggnanandhaa lost to Fabiano Caruana in an epic 10-hour, seven-game chess marathon.
- The match featured multiple time controls, intense comebacks, and a unique Armageddon tie-breaker.
- Arjun Erigaisi secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Nodirbek Abdusattorov.
- Fabiano Caruana, Arjun Erigaisi, Hans Niemann, and Levon Aronian are the four semifinalists.
The Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour continues to deliver high-stakes, dramatic chess, promising more excitement as the semi-finals unfold.
