Last Updated:
Pragg shocked Carlsen to move finish joint-top of the table with 4.5 points, while Erigaisi finished joint third with 4 points.
Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi.
Indian GMs R Praggnanandhaa and Ajun Erigaisi secured their berths in the top bracket of the Las Vegas Freestyle Grand Slam Tour as World No.1 Magnus Carlsen was left behind in the ace for the title.
Praggnannadhaa shocked Carlsen to move finish joint-top of the table with 4.5 points, while Erigaisi finished joint third with 4 points.
ALSO READ| Lionel Messi’s Brace-Streak Dries Up As Cincinnati Hammer Inter Miami
Praggnannadhaa is slated to take on American Fabiano Caruana, while Erigaisi is set to square up against Uzbek GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Another Indian GM, Vidit Gujrati, will take on Carlsen in the top-billed lower bracket encounter.
The 16-players are divided into two groups of eight with the top four from each group advanced to the quarterfinals after playing once against each of the other participants. The rules stipulate that those who do not make the top bracket in the first set of qualifiers can no longer win the event.
Praggnanandhaa tied for first place in his group with 4.5 points out of a possible seven, along with Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sandarov, and Aronian, who finished with four points. Carlsen ended fifth, ahead of Vincent Keymer of Germany, Wesley So, and the sole female participant Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan.
In the second group, Hikaru Nakamura topped the standings with an impressive 6/7, while compatriot Hans Niemann ended second with 4.5 points. Erigaisi finished in a tie for third place with four points, alongside Fabiano Caruana.
Americans Leinier Dominguez Perez, Sevian Samuel, and Robson Ray, finished 5th to 7th, with Indian Vidit Gujrathi ending in the last spot.
ALSO READ| ‘Without Her, I Wouldn’t Have Been Able To…’: Yamal’s Touching Homage To Grandmother At Contract Extension
Qualifier Results:
Group White:
1-3: R Praggnanandhaa (Ind); Abdusattorov Nodirbek (Uzb) Javokhir Sandarov (Uzb) 4.5 points each
4-5: Levon Aronian (Usa) Magnus Carlsen (Nor) 4 points each
6-7: Vincent Keymer (Ger), Wesley So (Usa) 3 points each
8. Bibisara Assaubuyeva (Kaz, 0.5 points).
Group Black:
1. Hikaru Nakamura (Usa, 6 points)
2. Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 4.5 points)
3-4. Arjun Erigaisi (Ind), Fabiano Caruana (Usa) 4 points each
5. Leinier Dominguez Perez (Usa, 3 points)
6-7: Sevian Samual (Usa), Robron Ray (Usa) 2.5 points each
8. Vidit Gujrathi (Ind, 1.5 points)
view comments
- First Published:
