Chennai Grand Masters: Alireza Firouzja wins title as world champion Gukesh suffers shock last-place finish | Chess News

NEW DELHI: French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja was crowned champion of the fourth edition of the Chennai Grand Masters after holding Indian GM Arjun Erigaisi to a draw in the final round on Wednesday, while world champion D Gukesh endured a disappointing campaign, finishing last in the elite tournament.Firouzja finished the competition with 4.5 points after scoring two wins and five draws in seven rounds. The Frenchman, who started the event on a winning streak, maintained his consistency throughout the round-robin tournament to claim the title and take home the winner’s prize of Rs 25 lakh.

Firouzja held the nerve to win the title

Heading into the final round, Firouzja held a significant half-point advantage over nearest challengers Erigaisi and Nodirbek Abdusattorov of Uzbekistan.While Firouzja only needed a draw against Erigaisi to claim the championship, Abdusattorov needed a win with the black pieces against Dmitry Andreikin to keep his title hopes alive.However, Abdusattorov’s ambitious approach backfired as he lost against Andreikin in 37 moves. That result meant Firouzja’s draw with Erigaisi was enough to seal the crown.Playing the white pieces, Erigaisi tried to create chances to win, but Firouzja handled the pressure confidently. The two players eventually agreed to a draw after 41 moves in a rook-and-pawn endgame, with the Indian Grandmaster unable to find a realistic path to victory.Chennai Grand Masters features eight Grandmasters competing in a round-robin format, with a total prize purse of Rs 75 lakh and valuable FIDE Circuit points at stake.

Gukesh’s tough run continues

While Firouzja celebrated a memorable victory, it was a tournament to forget for India’s reigning world champion D Gukesh.The Chennai youth struggled to find their rhythm throughout the event, losing three of their seven matches and finishing at the bottom of the standings with just two points.Gukesh managed to avoid another defeat in the final round, drawing against Hans Niemann, but it was not enough to lift him from eighth place in the final standings.The result marks a rare low point for the 20-year-old, who enjoyed a historic rise last year after becoming the youngest world chess champion.

Andreikin finished unbeaten, Erigaisi among the runners-up

Andreikin finished the tournament as the only undefeated player besides Firouzja, who finished with four points after losing to Abdusattorov in the final round.Erigaisi also finished with four points, while Abdusattorov, Nihal Sarin and M Pranesh shared fourth place with 3.5 points.The results of the final round saw Gukesh draw with Niemann, Nihal Sarin draw with Pranesh, Firouzja draw with Erigaisi, and Andreikin beat Abdusattorov.