Chess World Cup: Gukesh loses to Carlsen; Erigaisi beats Praggnanandhaa

Carlsen wins 1st game of World Cup quarter-final against Gukesh; Erigaisi outwits Praggnanandhaa to take lead

Young Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh went down to World No 1 Magnus Carlsen in game one of their quarter-final in the FIDE Chess World Cup, in Baku, on Tuesday.

In another last eight clash, 19-year old GM Arjun Erigaisi pulled off a win in 53 moves over 18-year old GM R Praggnanandhaa to take a big step towards a spot in the semi-final.

Carlsen took down the 17-year old Gukesh with black pieces showing his endgame mastery to gain the upperhand over the Indian prodigy. The Norwegian superstar is one draw away from the semis.

In the Praggnanandhaa vs Erigaisi quarter-final, the latter came up trumps with black pieces.

Vidit Gujrathi, the fourth Indian player in the quarter-finals, drew against home favourite Nijat Abasov in a marathon match.

Four Indians are featuring in the last eight of the World Cup for the first time with the Praggnanandhaa vs Erigaisi match-up ensuring one player from the country in the semi-finals.

Each match consists of two classical games followed by tie-breaks in the event of a 1-1 tie (in classical).