FTX Crypto Cup 2022 R2: Praggnanandhaa gets his revenge against Giri

by Shahid Ahmed - 17/08/2022

Praggnanandhaa lost to Anish Giri in the final round of Oslo Esports Cup earlier this year. The wunderkind did not forget it, as that loss cost him a podium finish. After missing a golden opportunity in the third game of Meltwater Champions Chess Tour FTX Crypto Cup, the 17-year-old made sure he does not let another opportunity slip by in the fourth game. The world no.9's twitter jibe backfired as he went down against the in-form Praggnanandhaa. USA's top junior surprised the world champion in their very first game. Magnus Carlsen then won the next three games, including a game starting with 1.a3 to show he is still the man to beat. Round 3 starts tonight at 9:30 p.m. IST. Photo: ChessBase India live stream

Aronian beats Duda in tie-breaks

The second round of FTX Crypto Cup witnessed 17 games in total. Ten of them were decisive and seven draws. Carlsen-Niemann had all four decisive games. Duda-Aronian went to the tie-breaks where the first game ended in a draw. Aronian won the second one to win the match.

Praggnanandhaa avenged his Oslo Esports Cup final round loss against Giri | Photo: ChessBase India live stream

Praggnanandhaa - Giri: 2.5-1.5

The first two games ended in draws with no real chances for either side. Praggnanandhaa got a winning opportunity in the rook ending of the third game.

Praggnanandhaa - Giri, Game 3

Position after 39...Ke5

Having only a little over a minute left on the clock, Black blundered 39...Ke5 40.Rb5+ Ke6. Instead of taking the h5-pawn, White gave another check 41.Rb6+. 14-moves later White got a few more opportunities, however, Black managed to escape by the skin of his teeth. The score remained level 1.5-1.5.

Praggnanandhaa is someone who just does not let the opportunities slip by. When Giri made a tiny positional inaccuracy in the fourth game, he just pounced on it.

Giri - Praggnanandhaa, Game 4

Position after 21...Rc2

21.Rd3 was the inaccuracy. 21.Rb1 or Ba1 is recommended by the computer to prevent Rc2 invasion. 22.Ba3 was forced Rxe2 23.Bxb4 Rxe1+ 24.Bxe1 Nxe4 25.d5 Ndc5 26.Ra3 and we get the following position.

Position after 26.Ra3

It was not easy to keep the d5-pawn protected. It was a lost cause anyway. 26...exd5 the new isolated passed pawn eventually became a deciding factor in White losing the game and the match too.