Firouzja wins Chennai Grand Masters as Gukesh suffers shock last-place finish
French Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja won the Chennai Grand Masters tournament after a consistent performance across seven rounds. Meanwhile, world champion D Gukesh finished in last place, marking a difficult tournament for the Indian player.
Why it matters
The performance of top-tier chess players in elite tournaments significantly impacts FIDE rankings and the competitive landscape of professional chess.
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 victories and five draws across seven rounds. The Frenchman, who began the event with back-to-back wins, maintained his consistency throughout the round-robin tournament to claim the title and take home the winner's prize of Rs 25 lakh.Firouzja holds nerve to clinch titleHeading into the final round, Firouzja held a crucial half-point advantage over closest challengers Erigaisi and Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov.While Firouzja only needed a draw against Erigaisi to secure the championship, Abdusattorov needed a victory with the black pieces against Dmitry Andreikin to keep his title hopes alive.However, Abdusattorov's ambitious approach backfired as…
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