Praggnanandhaa Defeats Wesley So to Claim Sole Lead at Superbet Classic

New Delhi : Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa delivered a commanding performance in the eighth round of the Superbet Classic in Bucharest, Romania, defeating Filipino-American GM Wesley So to take sole lead ahead of the final round. This crucial win not only ended Praggnanandhaa’s run of seven consecutive draws but also placed him in pole position to win one of the most prestigious classical tournaments of the year.

Praggnanandhaa, who played with the black pieces, capitalized on a critical error by So in the middlegame and methodically converted his advantage into a full point. With this victory, the 18-year-old Indian prodigy now leads the standings with 5 points from 8 rounds, edging ahead of the elite field in the single round-robin event.

The Superbet Classic is the second leg of the 2024 Grand Chess Tour, a highly competitive series featuring some of the world’s top chess players. Played with classical time controls, the tournament tests strategic depth and endurance, making Praggnanandhaa’s rise to the top even more remarkable in such a seasoned lineup.

In another notable development, reigning world champion D. Gukesh also ended his winless run at the tournament with a strong victory over American Grandmaster Levon Aronian. Like Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh was playing with the black pieces and showcased sharp tactical play to outmaneuver the veteran. With this win, Gukesh moved to 3.5 points, currently in joint seventh place.

Both Indian players’ wins were significant not only for their individual standings but also for signaling a resurgence of form as the tournament reaches its climax. The ninth and final round, scheduled for today, will be decisive in determining the overall champion of the Superbet Classic.

The 10-player field includes top global names such as Fabiano Caruana, Alireza Firouzja, Ian Nepomniachtchi, and Anish Giri. With just half a point separating several contenders, all eyes are now on the final round where Praggnanandhaa will seek to convert his slender lead into tournament victory — a result that would mark one of the biggest wins of his career and further cement his place among the elite in world chess.