Alireza Firouzja stuns world champion D Gukesh to extend lead after second round

French Grand Master Alireza Firouzja eked out yet another gruelling victory to register his second straight win in the fourth edition of the Quantbox Chennai Grand Masters 2026, India’s most prestigious classical chess tournament, at the Westin Hotel in Chennai on Friday.

Firouzja, who had defeated GM M Pranesh with black pieces on the opening day, got the better of world champion D Gukesh after 69 moves to take his tally to two points after two rounds.

After Deepraj Mukherjee, general manager of Westin Chennai Velachery, made the ceremonial first move between Firouzja and Gukesh, the Frenchman opted for a Ruy Lopez opening with white. It looked like Gukesh could hold out against the French GM in a knight-pawn ending but a pawn sacrifice by Firouzja opened the door for a clinical win.

Frenchman Firouzja begins campaign with win over M Pranesh in Chennai Grand Masters

M Pranesh, who had lost his opening round with white, did not take any chances with black pieces against GM Dmitry Andreikin and settled for a draw by repeating in just 18 moves.

Deepraj Mukherjee, general manager of Westin Chennai Velachery, made the ceremonial first move between Firouzja and Gukesh. Pics: MGD1

GM Arjun Erigaisi also played it safe against GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov with black pieces and the Uzbek signed the peace treaty after 43 moves.

GM Nihal Sarin also held Hans Niemann to draw after a marathon 132 move game in which he thwarted all the moves of his US opponent to gain upper hand.

Organised by MGD1, the tournament witness eight grandmasters face-off in a double-round robin format and offers a prize purse of Rs 75,00,000 and valuable FIDE Circuit points.

Results (Round 2): GM Hans Niemann (1) drew GM Nihal Sarin (1); GM Alireza Firouzja (2) beat GM D Gukesh (0.5); GM Dmitry Andreikin (1) drew GM M Pranesh 0.5; GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov (1) drew GM Arjun Erigaisi (1).

Round 3 pairing: GM Arjun Erigaisi vs Hans Niemann; GM M Pranesh vs GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov; GM D Gukesh vs GM Dmitry Andreikin; GM Nihal Sarin vs GM Alireza Firouzja.