Super Chess Classic Romania: Praggnanandhaa beats World Championship challenger Sindarov in Round 2

Defending champion R. Praggnanandhaa defeated World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov with the black pieces in the second round of the Grand Chess Tour: Super Chess Classic Romania 2026 in Bucharest on Friday.

Praggnanandhaa, who had escaped with a draw against Alireza Firouzja in the opening round after the Frenchman missed a winning chance, moved to 1.5/2 and joined the early leaders’ pack. All five games in the first round had ended in draws.

The win also carried a small sense of revenge for the Indian, who had lost both his games against Sindarov at the 2026 Candidates. In those games, Sindarov had sacrificed a knight to create decisive play. This time too, the Uzbek offered a knight, but Praggnanandhaa accepted the material, defended accurately and converted the advantage.

The Super Chess Classic Romania is a 10-player classical round-robin and the second event of the 2026 Grand Chess Tour.

Published on May 15, 2026