Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026: Arjun beats World Champion Gukesh, joins the lead with Firouzja

By admin July 21, 2026 0 comments

The World Champion, D Gukesh lost against Arjun Erigaisi in Round 5 of Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026.

Is third time the charm for Arjun?

D Gukesh always had difficulty scoring a win against Arjun Erigaisi in Classical battles. He got himself an opportunity to push for a win. Draw was there as a minimum if he wanted to repeat. However, Gukesh missed his chance and eventually allowed his opponent to win the game. Gukesh has a lot of time to make a comeback but this year he does not as Olympiad and World Championship defence are sooner than it might seem. Are all these risks necessary for him to take? Only time will answer everything.

Alireza Firouzja drew his game against Dmitry Andreikin. Both Arjun and Firouzja are at 3.5/5 each, closely followed by Nodirbek Abdusattorov at 3/5.

Pranesh – Hans: 0.5-0.5

Hans Niemann (USA, 2730) won the sole Classical rated game he played against Pranesh M (2666) over 4.5 years ago. Niemann made an interesting queen sacrifice for a rook and bishop. He was never worse and kept pushing for maximum. The game eventually ended in a draw after 104 moves.

Pranesh M and Hans Niemann (USA) played an intriguing draw | Photo: Lokesh Natoo

Gukesh – Arjun: 0-1

D Gukesh (2717) and Arjun Erigaisi (2757) have played 13 Classical rated games against each other. Arjun has won six of them, Gukesh one and the remaining six ended in draws. This time, Arjun registered his seventh win over the World Champion. Gukesh actually got himself a decisive advantage after his opponent misplayed.

Position after 24.Rh8+

23…Qxb2? allowed 24.Rh8+ Nf8 25.Bd6 Rd8 26.Bc7 Rc8 White repeated the sequence once and then retreated 29.Be5 Ke7 30.Bg7 and the advantage evaporated. White needed to bring his knight into the action too. 29.Bf4 followed by Ng3 would have been ideal.

Position after 53…d2

54.Kf1 Ke5 55.Rh4 would have kept the game going. Instead, 54.Rf5+?? turned out to be a fatal mistake Kd4-+ 55.Ra5 Kc3 and it’s over. Black won the game in the next few moves.

World Champion D Gukesh missed his chance and eventually lost against Arjun Erigaisi | Photo: Lokesh Natoo

Nihal – Abdusattorov: 0-1

Nihal Sarin (2717) and Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB, 2766) have played seven Classical rated games against each other. Nihal won two, Abdusattorov one and the remaining four ended in draws. Nihal’s passive play did not work out.

Position after 29…Nxf2!

Black broke the position wide open 29…Nxf2! 30.Kxf2 e3+ 31.Kg1 exd2 32.Rxd2 Nf4 33.Rf2 Nxg2 34.Ne6 Rxe6 35.Bxe6 Nh4 36.Qe2 Qc6 37.Ng3 Re8 38.Re1 f4 and Black won.