Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026: Firouzja makes a winning start
Alireza Firouzja scored the lone victory in Round 1 of Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026.
Fourth edition goes back to its roots
The fourth edition of India’s strongest Classical Super tournament, Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters has gone back to its roots. The format is same as the inaugural edition of a single Masters event with eight players. There is no Challengers event this time.
Seven players are rated over 2700, six of them are in top 30. The average rating of the tournament is 2727. The total prize fund is ₹7500000.
Pranesh – Firouzja: 0-1
Pranesh M (2666) is the lowest rated player in the field. He qualified to this edition by winning the Challengers event last year. This is his first Classical rated game against Alireza Firouzja (FRA, 2749).
Position after 21.Rc1
Black decided to sacrifice an exchange 21…Nxe3! to gain the upperhand 22.Qxc7 Rxc7 23.Rxc7 Nxd5 in terms of material, Black is down by a pawn. He managed to gain it in less than ten moves. Black’s connected center passed pawn played a key role in him getting a decisive advantage and eventually winning the game.
Pranesh M suffered a loss against Alireza Firouzja (FRA) | Photo: Lokesh Natoo
Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) – Hans Niemann (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lokesh Natoo
Arjun Erigaisi – Dmitry Andreikin: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lokesh Natoo
D Gukesh – Nihal Sarin: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lokesh Natoo
Replay Round 1 games
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