Gukesh Stays Unbeaten as Praggnanandhaa and Abdusattorov Shine in Round 2

The day also saw Praggnanandhaa claim victory over Pentala Harikrishna, while Nodirbek Abdusattorov showcased formidable play against Leon Luke Mendonca.

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Round 2 Highlights

• Gukesh Holds the Reins
  Gukesh, who became the youngest world champion last month in Singapore, remains undefeated after securing a draw against Vladimir Fedoseev. Having defeated Anish Giri in the opening round, the 18th world champion continues to impress and assert his status at the top of the leaderboard.

• Praggnanandhaa Overcomes Harikrishna
  Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa put on a strong showing by defeating fellow countryman Pentala Harikrishna. The result marked an important bounce-back after a closely contested first round, demonstrating Praggnanandhaa’s readiness to challenge the event’s elite.

• Abdusattorov Punishes Mendonca
  Nodirbek Abdusattorov delivered a formidable performance against Leon Luke Mendonca, who succumbed for the second day in a row after suffering a defeat from Vincent Keymer in Round 1. Abdusattorov’s strong and precise play underscores his status as one of the tournament’s most dangerous competitors.

• Erigaisi vs Giri: A Hard-Fought Draw
  In another marquee matchup, Arjun Erigaisi held the experienced Anish Giri to a draw, exerting significant pressure on both board and clock during the middlegame. Erigaisi’s Round 1 loss to Pentala Harikrishna seems to have motivated him to come back even stronger—though Giri managed to secure a half-point this time around.

• Action in the Challengers
  India’s GM Vaishali Rameshbabu drew her game with Lu Miaoyi, while IM Divya Deshmukh held Thai Dai Van Nguyen to a draw. Both results showcase the rising competitiveness within the Challengers section, where young talents continue to make their mark and gain invaluable experience.

With several rounds still to come, the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2025 promises more thrilling showdowns, unexpected turnarounds, and notable triumphs. Stay tuned as the world’s top grandmasters and emerging prodigies battle it out in Wijk aan Zee.