R Praggnanandhaa Clinches Superbet Classic, Secures First Grand Chess Tour Title

Bucharest, May 17 – Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured his maiden title on the prestigious Grand Chess Tour by emerging victorious at the Superbet Classic tournament in Bucharest, Romania.
The 18-year-old prodigy topped a dramatic finale on Friday, defeating French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave in the tiebreaker after finishing the classical rounds with a score of 5.5 points.

Three-Way Tiebreak Decider​

Praggnanandhaa, Vachier-Lagrave, and fellow French GM Alireza Firouzja ended the main event tied at the top with 5.5 points each, triggering a three-way blitz playoff. Each player faced the others in a five-minute game with a two-second increment per move.
In the opening tiebreak game, Praggnanandhaa, playing black, held Firouzja to a hard-fought draw despite facing a slightly inferior position. The second tiebreak between Firouzja and Vachier-Lagrave also ended in a draw, setting up the decisive clash.
With the title on the line, Praggnanandhaa showcased his tactical brilliance in the final blitz game, breaking through Vachier-Lagrave's defenses to claim victory and secure the top prize.

Redemption After Last Year's Setback​

This win marked a remarkable turnaround for Praggnanandhaa, who had endured a disappointing run in last year’s play-offs, losing all his games. Reflecting on his triumph, he credited rest and preparation for the comeback.
“I didn't do so well last time. I guess getting to rest a few hours before the tiebreak certainly helps,” he remarked at the award ceremony.

Acknowledgements and Prize​

Praggnanandhaa expressed gratitude to his support team, including GM Vaibhav Suri, who assisted him during the tournament, and his long-time coach GM RB Ramesh. For his stellar performance, he took home a cash prize of USD 77,667 (approximately ₹66 lakh).

Final Round Results (Classical)​

Tiebreak Results​

• Praggnanandhaa drew with Firouzja
• Firouzja drew with Vachier-Lagrave
• Praggnanandhaa defeated Vachier-Lagrave

With this landmark win, Praggnanandhaa cements his rising status in the world of elite chess and makes a powerful statement on the Grand Chess Tour circuit.