Local stars D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi played out a draw in the second round of the Chennai Grand Masters Chess Championship 2023 on Saturday.
Experienced Indian GM Pentala Harikrishna, who scored over Erigaisi in round one, settled for a draw against Alexandr Predke (Serbia) to take his tally to 1.5 points.
Highly-rated American GM Levon Aronian held top seed Iran GM Parham Maghsoodloo in his second-round match, while the match between Pavel Eljanov (Ukraine) and Sanan Sjugirov (Ukraine) saw the latter securing a win.
Gukesh with white pieces, held compatriot Erigaisi to a draw.
The two young Indians are aiming for a good performance here to boost their chances of securing a spot in next year’s Candidates tournament.
The 8-player, all-GM tournament being held in the classical format, provides an opportunity for Gukesh and Erigaisi and Iran’s Maghsoodloo to earn qualification for the Candidates tournament.
Round 2 results:
Pentala Harikrishna drew Alexandr Predke; D Gukesh drew Arjun Erigaisi: Parham Maghsoodloo drew Levon Aronian; Pavel Eljanov lost to Sanan Sjugirov (Hungary).
Standings after round two:
1-2. Sjugirov, Pentala Harikrishna,
3-6. Predke, Aronian, Gukesh, Eljanov 1 point,
7-8. Maghsoodloo, Erigaisi 0.5.
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