D Gukesh, India’s top-ranked chess player, lost his first quarter-final match to world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen at the FIDE World Cup in Baku on Tuesday. As a result, the Indian GM will need to defeat Carlsen with black pieces on Wednesday in order to remain in the event. Carlsen simply needs a draw to advance to the semi-finals. Arjun Erigaisi, 19, defeated compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in a duel of Indian prodigies on Tuesday.
The other two matches of the day ended in draws, with India’s Vidit Gujrathi and home favourite Abasov Nijat splitting a point after 109 moves. Fabiano Caruana secured a draw against compatriot Dominguez Perez Leinier in the last game.
Featured Image: International Chess Federation