Sinquefield Cup 2025: Gukesh rallies to beat Abdusattorov in second round; Praggnanandhaa continues in joint lead

Reigning world champion D Gukesh rallied from his first-round defeat to compatriot R Praggnanandhaa to beat Uzbek GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov on Wednesday in the second round.

Playing with white pieces, Gukesh outplayed his opponent in a chaotic encounter which lasted 50 moves.

“Especially after yesterday, probably one of the worst games that I’d played, it was nice to bounce back like this. If I would prefer to make two draws or a loss and a win, I’d prefer a loss and a win,” said Gukesh after the second round.

Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa played out a sedate draw against the USA’s Fabiano Caruana.

“I kind of surprised him in the opening and then I think I misplayed it a bit, so I was a bit concerned. That’s why I decided to sac a pawn… but it was still a relatively comfortable draw,” said Caruana.

In the only other decisive result of the day, France’s Alireza Firouzja beat GM Jan-Krzysztof Duda in a marathon clash, which lasted 100 moves.

Firouzja is now in joint lead of the tournament, alongside Praggnanandhaa and American GM Levon Aronian.

In the third round, Gukesh will be up against the USA’s Sam Sevian while Praggnanandhaa will take on Abdusattorov, with both Indian players wielding black pieces.