CHENNAI, JUL 20 (PTI): India’s Arjun Erigaisi capitalised on world champion D Gukesh’s errors to storm into joint lead after the fifth round of the fourth edition of the Chennai Grand Masters here on Monday.
With just two rounds left to play, Erigaisi is tied with French GM Alireza Firouzja on 3.5 points, while GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov also registered a win with black to throw his hat in the title race, remaining half a point behind on 3.
Eight grandmasters face off in a round robin format in the tournament which offers a prize purse of Rs 75 lakh and valuable FIDE Circuit points.
With the fourth round ending in all draws, Abdusattorov took the attack to Indian GM Nihal Sarin with black pieces and slowly but surely tightened the noose to force his opponent to resign after 38 moves.
The all-Indian clash between Erigaisi and Gukesh began with a ceremonial opening move by Jeshua J, a Tamil Nadu-born youngster, who holds the record of becoming the youngest Arena FIDE Master at the age of 7 years, 10 months and 8 days.
Thereafter Erigaisi played a solid game with black and was quick to go for the kill once the world champion’s accuracy of moves dropped in the middle game.
Erigaisi stayed patient and once it was clear that his pawn on the d-file was sure to be promoted to a queen, Gukesh resigned on move 63. Firouzja, who had won the first two rounds, settled for a draw against GM Dmitry Andreikin after 41 moves.
