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

NEW DELHI: French grandmaster Alireza Firouzja was crowned champion of the fourth edition of the Grand Masters in Chennai after leveling Indian grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi 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 recording two wins and five draws in seven rounds. The Frenchman, who started the tournament with back-to-back wins, maintained his consistency throughout the round-robin tournament to clinch the title and take home the prize money of Rs 25 lakh.

Firouzja has the courage to win the title

Entering the last round, Firouzja had a crucial half-point lead over his closest followers, Erigaisi and Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusatorov.While Firouzja only needed a draw against Erigaisi to secure the championship, Abdusattorov needed a black piece win against Dmitry Andreikin to keep his title hopes alive.However, Abdusattorov’s ambitious approach backfired as he fell against Andreikin in 37 moves. That result means Firouza’s draw with Erigaisi was enough to seal the crown.Playing with white pieces, Erigaisi tried to create chances to win, but Firouzja confidently handled the pressure. The two players eventually settled for a draw after 41 moves in the rook and pawn endgame, with the Indian grandmaster unable to find a realistic path to victory.The Chennai Grand Masters featured eight grandmasters competing in a round-robin format, with a total prize money of Rs 75 lakh and valuable FIDE Circuit points.

Gukesh’s tough streak continues

While Firouzja celebrated a triumph to remember, it was a tournament to forget for India’s current world champion D Gukesh.The youngster from Chennai struggled to find his rhythm throughout the event, losing three of his seven matches to finish 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 marked a rare low point for the 20-year-old, who has enjoyed a historic rise over the past year after becoming the youngest world chess champion.

Andreikin finishes undefeated, Erigaisi among the runners-up

Andreikin finished the tournament as the only undefeated player besides Firouzja, finishing with four points after defeating Abdusattorova 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 last round showed that Gukesh drew with Niemann, Nihal Sarin with Pranesh, Firouzja with Erigaisi, and Andreikin beat Abdusatorov.