GCT Super Chess Classic 2026: Praggnanandhaa survives a massive scare

By admin May 15, 2026 0 comments

All five games of the first round of Grand Chess Tour Super Chess Classic 2026 ended in draws. R Praggnanandhaa was in grave danger of losing his game against Alireza Firouzja.

Five draws

The opening round might have witnessed five draws. However, there were a couple of exciting games. It is difficult to say between R Praggnanandhaa and Alireza Firouzja, who has been in off-form for the longer time. Their game definitely attests to that observation.

Romania no.1, Bogdan-Daniel Deac drew against the World Championship Challenger, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Wesley So (USA) and Vincent Keymer (GER) played a well contested draw | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Praggnanandhaa – Firouzja: 0.5-0.5

R Praggnanandhaa (2733) and Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2759) have played eleven Classical rated games against each other. Both of them have won a game each and the remaining nine games ended in draws. Their twelfth game was another draw. Although, the result could have been a lot different if Firouzja managed to seize his opportunity.

Position after 34.Qe1

34…Rb6 is recommended by the computer to be the best continuation. In the game, Black played 34…Qxg5 35.e4 Rbd8? 36.Qe3 Qxe3 37.fxe3 and Black’s attack diminished.

R Praggnanandhaa was in deep trouble against Alireza Firouzja (FRA) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (FRA) – Anish Giri (NED, pictured): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Lennart Ootes captured a fantastic photo of Jorden van Foreest (NED) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Jorden van Foreest (NED) – Fabiano Caruana (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

The beautiful tournament hall – National Bank of Romania museum | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

GM Natalia Zhukova (UKR) with her better half GM Alexander Onischuk (USA) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Grand Chess Tour

Replay Round 1 live stream

Replay Round 1 live commentary by GMs Yasser Seirawan, Peter Svidler, & Cristian Chirila, IMs Nazi Paikidze & Irene Sukandar, and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 1 games

Schedule and Format

Super Chess Classic will have one round per day from 14th to 23rd May. Rest day is on Tuesday 19th May. Each round starts at 4 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST, except the last round which starts at 2 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control will be 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.