Chennai
R Praggnanandhaa delivered a statement performance on the opening night of the Candidates tournament in Cyprus, defeating Anish Giri with a composed and clinical display using the white pieces.
Praised as a “masterpiece” by former world champion Viswanathan Anand, the 20-year-old Indian showcased both preparation and precision to outplay his higher-ranked opponent in a tightly contested encounter.
Opting for the relatively uncommon 1.e4 followed by 2.Nc3, Praggnanandhaa surprised Giri early in the opening. The Dutchman responded solidly, and both players navigated the initial phase without conceding ground. However, the momentum began to shift in the middle game as the Indian gradually took control.
While the position remained balanced on the board even after 29 moves, time pressure started to weigh heavily on Giri, who had already spent considerable time responding to the unexpected opening approach. Forced into a series of exact moves to stay afloat, the Dutch grandmaster found himself increasingly on the defensive.
Praggnanandhaa capitalised on this pressure in the endgame, demonstrating maturity beyond his years. The decisive moment came on the 42nd move when he chose to capture Giri’s knight — a precise and winning decision. An alternative pawn push would have led to complications, but the Indian remained accurate. A few moves later, Giri resigned, conceding a significant opening-round loss.
A strong start is often crucial in a high-stakes tournament like the Candidates. While early victories do not guarantee success, setbacks can prove costly. Praggnanandhaa’s win not only boosts his confidence but also places him firmly among the early frontrunners.
In other results, Javokhir Sindarov defeated Andrey Esipenko, while Fabiano Caruana overcame Hikaru Nakamura. Wei Yi drew with Matthias Bluebaum.
Praggnanandhaa will next face Wei Yi with the black pieces as the tournament gathers momentum.