R Praggnanandhaa claimed victory at the Tata Steel Masters chess tournament in the Netherlands on February 2, 2025. He defeated D Gukesh 2-1 in a thrilling tie-breaker, claiming his first-ever Tata Steel Masters title. The final was filled with unexpected turns and a suspenseful conclusion. Praggnanandhaa’s win marks a significant milestone in his young career, bolstered by fellow Indian Arjun Erigaisi’s earlier victory against Gukesh.
Key Highlights
Tie Breaker Match
- The match was contested over two games and a sudden-death decider.
- Praggnanandhaa won the tie-breaker 2-1, claiming his first-ever Tata Steel Masters title.
- Praggnanandhaa’s Appreciation for Arjun Erigaisi
- Praggnanandhaa cheekily thanked Arjun Erigaisi for defeating Gukesh in the first round, which led to the tie between him and Gukesh.
Upsets During the Tournament
- Both Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh suffered surprising losses during the tournament but managed to stay at the top.
- Gukesh lost to Arjun Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa lost to Germany’s Vincent Keymer.
Tie Breaker Games Breakdown
- First Game: Gukesh won due to a blunder by Praggnanandhaa, costing him a full rook.
- Second Game: Praggnanandhaa equalized and won with technical precision.
- Sudden-Death Game: Praggnanandhaa triumphed after Gukesh lost control, costing him a pawn and his last knight.
Gukesh’s Performance
- This was Gukesh’s second consecutive year of losing in the tiebreaker after sharing first place.
